Salman Khan granted bail

JODHPUR, Oct 17 (PTI) — Actor Salman Khan, under judicial custody here in two cases relating to the shooting of protected antelopes, was today released on bail.

District and Sessions Judge D.N. Joshi ordered his release on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh.

The actor was also directed by the court to deposit his passport with the police within seven days and not to leave the country without prior permission.

The matinee idol, arrested on Thursday for a second time in connection with two cases of poaching, had been remanded yesterday in judicial custody till October 26 by the Chief Judicial Magistrate court which rejected his bail plea.

Altogether four cases had been taken up against the actor on charges of killing two black bucks and a Chinkara (Indian gazelle) under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Arms Act.

He had been granted bail on Thursday itself in connection with the case taken up by the Forest Department. His plea for bail was also granted yesterday in the case registered under the Arms Act.

The two cases in which he was granted bail had been registered by the police at the Mathania and Bhadava police stations near Jodhpur, for allegedly shooting protected wild animals between September 26 and October 2 while on location shooting.

A large crowd of Salman’s fans gathered outside the district and sessions court greeted the court order granting him bail by clapping and cheering.

MUMBAI: Salman Khan, who was released on bail today by Jodhpur sessions court in a case of alleged poaching of wild animals, arrived here on Saturday night by an Indian Airlines aircraft.

Clad in black T-shirt and jeans, Salman was received at the airport by his father Salim Khan, brother Sohail and other relatives and friends.

The haggard looking Salman arrived at 2140 hours and drove straight to his Bandra residence.

His relatives, carrying a traditional "arathi" to welcome him were not permitted to enter the airport premises.