Film actors Salman Khan and Satish Shah appeared before a local court in Jodhpur in Rajasthan on Wednesday for a hearing connected with the poaching of endangered black bucks over seven years after they were booked for the offence.

Khan and Shah have been accused of shooting the wild animals near Bhawad village in Jodhpur District in October 1998.

The animals are listed as endangered and it is a criminal offence under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to hunt them. The hearing of this case had suffered a serious setback in 2002 when its most important eyewitness, Harish Dulani, went missing.

Dulani, who is still missing, was driving the car at the time of the hunt.

Hastimal Saraswat, Salman Khan's lawyer said the final argument on the case has been posted on November 23.

"Satish Shah and Salman Khan along with other local accused appeared before the court today. The accused will be giving their statements on November 23 and there will be a final argument on the case. The evidence that the prosecution has put forward was not able to prove the allegations. I am confident that my client will get justice and will be acquitted."

Khan and Shah were booked on charges of poaching protected animals and carrying illegal arms in October 1998 when they were shooting for a Hindi film.

Khan remained behind bars for about a week before getting bail in the cases filed against him.

Huge crowds of people gathered outside the court to catch a glimpse of the film stars and the police had a tough time controlling them.

If proved guilty, the film stars can be sentenced to maximum of seven-years in jail.

The case is attracting huge publicity in the country because of the high profile of the accused and the active role being pursued by the wild life protection groups.