JODHPUR: A court in western India on Friday sentenced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to a year in jail for shooting two rare black buck deer.

“The court has sentenced Salman Khan to one year’s imprisonment. He also has to pay a fine of 5,000 rupees ($113),” his lawyer Vimal Sarswat said.

The actor would appeal and apply for immediate bail, the lawyer said.

Salman Khan, 40 was accused of poaching the protected species in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan in Sept 1998.

The lawyer said the eight other accused, including actor Satish Shah, were acquitted.

Satish Shah said he was relieved the case was over.

“I have been making rounds of this court for the past eight years, I am very happy that I have been acquitted,” he said.

For Salman Khan, however, three other related cases of poaching deer in Jodphur and possession of unlicensed firearms are pending.

One of those cases, in which a host of other Bollywood stars are also accused, is due to be heard on Monday.

Salman Khan is no stranger to controversy. He also faces charges of manslaughter after a road accident in 2002 left one person dead and four injured.—AFP