Superstar Salman Khan's sister Arpita Khan is happy that her brother was on Monday acquitted in the 18-year-old chinkara poaching cases. She has thanked his fans and well-wishers for standing by the family during the tough period.

"Thank you god for always showering us with your grace and blessings. Today is a big day for us... Salman Khan. Thank you to all bhais and the family's well-wishers for your prayers, support, love and best wishes. This wouldn't have been possible without you," Arpita posted on her Twitter page.

Actor Varun Dhawan, who had refused to make a public comment on Salman Khan's "raped woman" analogy when the controversy was at its peak, on Monday said the Rajasthan High Court's decision on the superstar's acquittal in two 18-year-old chinkara poaching cases must be respected.

"I think the law has to take its course. It's the court's judgement and we have to respect it. So I respect the court's judgement," Varun, who was in the capital on Monday, said at the press conference of his forthcoming film "Dishoom".

Several Bollywood celebrities including filmmakers Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma have welcomed the Rajasthan High Court's decision on superstar Salman Khan's acquittal in two 18-year-old chinkara poaching cases.

Salman had appealed before the Jodhpur bench of the high court challenging a lower court verdict in 2006 handing him a one and five-year term in the two separate cases of poaching.

Ghai, who shares a close bond with Salman, tweeted: "Acquittal (of) Salman Khan is (a) story of bad times (and) good times. I fully believe in our judiciary with many doors open to knock for fair justice".

Meanwhile, Varma expressed displeasure over the time it took for the verdict.

"Only celebrity cases make us realise how dead slow judiciary works. It's scary, it took 20 years for court to decide Salman Khan is not guilty," he tweeted.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit also congratulated Salman and his father and veteran lyricist Salim Khan.

Actress Shweta Rohira posted: "My happiness and relief knows no bounds today! Goodness wins! Love you bhai."

Salman and the state government had appealed before the High Court challenging the lower court's verdicts on various grounds.

On Monday, Justice Nirmaljit Kaur while allowing Salman's appeal, acquitted him of all charges and also dismissed the state government appeal for enhancing the sentences.

The hearing was completed in the last week of May and the order reserved. Salman was accused of killing chinkaras in two separate incidents.

One animal was said to have been killed at Bhawad on the outskirts of Jodhpur on September 26, 1998 and the other at Ghoda Farms on September 28, 1998. He was shooting for the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain" at that time.

Salman was earlier lodged in the Jodhpur jail over the cases. Salman's sister Alvira was present in the jam packed court room when the judgment was pronounced.

(Source: IANS)