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The verdict in a case of possession and use of illegal arms by Bollywood actor Salman Khan, has been deferred till March 3, by a court in Jodhpur.
Khan and a few other Bollywood stars were accused of poaching blackbucks on the midnight of October 1-2, 1998 during the shooting of Hindi movie Hum Saath Saath Hain.
Two blackbucks, a protected animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, were killed on the outskirts of Kankani village near Jodhpur.
The star was also accused of carrying and using illegal arms. He is also alleged to have been carrying arms with expired license.
A police complaint was filed against Salman Khan on charges of being involved in hunting of the protected blackbucks.
With Rs 200 crore riding on the Bollywood superstar, the deferment of the Arms Act case verdict has provided a small window of relief to producers of his two films that are set to release this year.
His other film Bajrangi Bhaijaan being directed by Ek Tha Tiger helmer Kabir Khan has wrapped up shooting and is currently in post production stage for a mid-year release.
Bollywood trade analyst Komal Nahta said Salman has approximately Rs 150 crore riding on him for these two films alone, besides another Rs 50 crore for the projects that he has signed.
"If you take Rs 75 crore each for these two films, it comes to a total of Rs 150 crore. And then if you add another Rs 50 crore for the projects that he has signed, it comes to Rs 200 crore. There is some amount of tension but the actor has the option to further appeal his case," Nahta told PTI.
