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Salim Khan interrogated

Script-writer Salim Khan, the father of film star Salman Khan who is accused of keeping endangered species in captivity at his Panvel farmhouse was interrogated by deputy conservator of forests, Alibag division Rajesh Das at the forest department rest house in Nagaon yesterday.

The forest department had seized two deer, a blackbuck and a peafowl during a raid on Khan's farmhouse early this month. The blackbuck died on the way to the Sanjay Gandhi national park where it was to be kept in safe custody. A case was registered against Khan under the Wildlife Protection Act for trapping and keeping wild animals in captivity.

Khan's driver Babloo Singh was also grilled for his alleged involvement in procuring the blackbuck from Bombay to Khan's farmhouse in Panvel.

Singh was to be arrested today at 9 am and had arrived at the forest department office at the given time. But the deputy conservator of forests did not come till 11.15 am. Singh then left by then and sent over a telegram to say he had waited for long and had to go elsewhere. He also agreed to produce himself whenever asked, Khan's lawyer Shyam Keswani said.

He said the scriptwriter had been asked how and when the animals were brought into the farmhouse. Khan told the forest officials that since September 30, 1997, the land was in the custody of the forest department. He said the animals used to come in from the neighbouring jungles.

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