Salman pleads innocence in blackbuck poaching case

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Friday pleaded innocence in the 18-year-old blackbuck poaching case, claiming before a court here that he has been "framed".

51-year-old Salman pleaded not guilty when his statement was recorded by Chief Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit, during when he was asked 65 questions.

Salman told the court the he never went for poaching due to security reasons during the shooting of his film.

The actor said he would provide evidence to back his innocence on the next date of hearing. The court listed February 15 as the next date.

Salman appeared in the court along with Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu, the other accused co-stars in the case at 11.30 AM.

"Salman was asked 65 questions by the magistrate pertaining to allegations of poaching against him but he denied all the allegations and pleaded innocence" his counsel H M Sarswat said.

"Khan has not committed any crime. After the film shooting, he used to remain in the hotel. He has been framed in the case and we would produce the evidence in favour of his innocence on the next date," the counsel added.