Jodhpur, February 16 Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu of the single bench of the Rajasthan High Court recused himself from hearing the appeals of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and the state government in the blackbuck poaching case on Monday.
Salman was accused of hunting two blackbucks in the village of Kankani in the Jodhpur district during the shooting of the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain" in 1998.
The case, dating back to 1998, involves a joint hearing on Salman Khan's appeal against his conviction, as well as the state government's 'leave to appeal' petition challenging the acquittal of co-accused Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, Neelam, and a local, Dushyant Singh.
The matter concerning the appeals of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and the state government was listed for hearing at the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Monday. However, Justice Sandhu recused himself from hearing and directed the listing of the case before another bench.
Salman was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment by the trial court on April 5, 2018, while all five co-accused were acquitted.
The actor challenged his sentencing in the session court, and the state government moved the high court with a 'leave to appeal' against the acquittal of the co-accused.
Salman's counsel filed a transfer petition in the high court against his sentence following the state's appeal. The counsel requested that his appeal be combined with the state's appeal, arguing that both petitions related to the same case.
Prosecution counsel Mahipal Bishnoi said that in July 2025, the high court had ordered the transfer of Salman's petition from the sessions court to the high court and combining it with the state's appeal for a joint hearing.