The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition by the Rajasthan government that challenged actor Salman’s acquittal in the Chinkara case, ANI reported. The apex court has now issued a notice to the actor, NDTV reported.

On October 18, the Rajasthan government had sought the apex court's intervention against Khan’s acquittal in the blackbuck and chinkara poaching cases, ANI reported. In July, the actor was acquitted of all charges in connection with both the incidents, which date back to 1998.

Khan had moved the Rajasthan High Court against a lower court’s verdict that had sentenced him to a one-year term in jail in the blackbuck case and five years’ imprisonment in the chinkara case.

Seven others were also accused in the cases. One of the animals was killed near Jodhpur, while the other was hunted at Ghoda Farms. Both animals fall under the endangered species category, and killing them is a punishable offence in India.