How India’s Vice President Once Rescued Salman Khan From Behind Bars

In a notable chapter of his legal career, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar played a pivotal role in securing bail for Bollywood icon Salman Khan during the high-profile 1998 blackbuck poaching case. The incident, which unfolded in Kankani village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, involved the alleged killing of two blackbucks an endangered species protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain. Khan faced serious legal consequences, including a five-year prison sentence handed down on April 5, 2018, by a Jodhpur trial court, which convicted him while acquitting his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, and Sonali Bendre.

Dhankhar, then a prominent lawyer, was enlisted by Khan’s legal team, led by Dev Anand Gehlot, to navigate the complex bail proceedings. His expertise proved instrumental in securing Khan’s release on April 7, 2018, after the actor spent two nights in Jodhpur Central Jail. The bail was granted by District and Sessions Judge Ravindra Kumar Joshi on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, accompanied by two sureties of Rs 25,000 each, as reported by Times of India. Conditions stipulated that Khan could not leave the country without court approval and was required to appear in court on May 7, 2018.

The case drew significant attention due to the involvement of the Bishnoi community, known for their reverence for blackbucks and their relentless pursuit of justice in this matter. Despite Khan’s bail, the community expressed dissatisfaction and vowed to challenge the decision in the Rajasthan High Court. The legal battle continued, with the Rajasthan High Court scheduling a hearing for appeals related to Khan’s conviction and the acquittal of his co-stars on July 28, 2025, as noted by Business Standard and Law Trend.

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Dhankhar’s successful intervention in this case, as highlighted underscored his legal acumen, which later complemented his political journey, culminating in his vice-presidential candidacy in 2022. The blackbuck poaching case remains a significant intersection of law, celebrity, and environmental conservation in India’s legal history.