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Salman Khan's bail plea rejected

A local court in Jodhpur today rejected the bail application of film star Salman Khan who was re-arrested last evening in connection with the killing of two chinkaras (Indian gazelles) in Mathania region of the district.

Khan has been accused of shooting the gazelles in two separate hunts on September 26 and September 28.

Khan moved the application for bail before Special Magistrate P K Vashistha, who dismissed them.

In another case under the Arms Act, Civil Judge, Jodhpur (First), L D Kiradoo accepted Khan's petition and granted him bail on production of two sureties of Rs 50,000 each.

The actor was later taken back to Vasani police station where he is being held in police custody.

He is likely to file an appeal in the Jodhpur district and sessions court.

Meanwhile, in a development that is likely to complicate matters for Khan, officers of the Maharashtra state wildlife department yesterday seized a black buck, two chital (spotted deer) and a peacock from his family farmhouse at Panvel, 90 km from Bombay.

Acting on a tip-off from a non-governmental organisation, the Bombay Environmental Action Group, the officers raided the farmhouse, which reportedly belongs to the actor's father and noted film personality Salim Khan.

Officers attached to the Alibaug forest division seized the animals and bird, which were kept in cages in the backyard of the farmhouse at Vrindavan Wajapur in Panvel late last night.

They have been taken to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli in north Bombay.

Despite repeated attempts, the Khans could not be contacted.

Under the Wildlife Act, possessing animals belonging to endangered species is an offence treated on par with killing the animals and carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a fine.

UNI

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