JODHPUR — A decades-old wildlife poaching case involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan continues to draw significant attention, originating from incidents alleged to have occurred in Rajasthan during the autumn of 1998, according to reporting by NDTV — Top Stories.
The long-standing controversy traces back to Khan's three-week stay in Jodhpur during the months of September and October in 1998. During that visit, the actor was accused of traveling into the rural outskirts surrounding the city to conduct an unauthorized hunt.
The September 1998 Allegations
According to case details revisited by NDTV, the accusations center on events that reportedly took place on the night of September 26 and 27, 1998. It was alleged that Khan hunted and killed two chinkaras in Bhavad village, located outside Jodhpur.
The incident sparked immediate outrage, particularly among the regional Bishnoi community, who hold local wildlife and nature in sacred regard. The chinkara, an Indian gazelle species protected under domestic wildlife laws, became the focus of prolonged legal scrutiny following the allegations against the film star.
Long-Term Repercussions
What began as a localized wildlife violation in Bhavad village has persisted for over two decades, evolving into a widely monitored conflict with broader security implications. The narrative surrounding the 1998 events has remained active, repeatedly surfacing in connection with regional gang activities and public threats directed at the actor.
While the legal system has handled multiple facets of the poaching allegations over the years, the core accusations from that September night in rural Rajasthan continue to serve as a pivotal reference point in ongoing tensions.
