'I am both Hindu and Muslim,' says Salman Khan in Jodhpur court

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Wednesday appeared in a court to record his statement in an Arms Act case related to shooting of black bucks. Khan appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Anupama Bijlani and pleaded innocence, Salman's counsel H M Saraswat said.

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The actor came to record his statement when the magistrate asked him what is his caste, to which Salman said, "I am an Indian." The judge then explained, "There is a column which needs to be filled so you will have to tell." A calm Salman replied, "I am both Hindu and Muslim. My father is a Muslim and mother is Hindu."

Bodyguard Shera and sister Alvira accompanied Salman. Earlier one of the actor's bouncers had an argument with the police at the entrance of the court when police stopped him from entering the courtroom.

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A case had been registered against Khan by the forest department under the Arms Act mentioning that licence of the arms used by Khan during alleged poaching of black bucks at village Kankani near Jodhpur on the intervening night of 1-2 October, 1998, had expired and hence the actor had been using the arms illegally. Black buck is a protected animal.

On April 23, the Chief Judicial Magistrate had accepted an application moved by Khan's counsel seeking exemption from is appearance in the court on the ground of ill health, and asked him to appear today to record his statement.

(With PTI inputs)