Macho Bollywood actor Khan jailed in wildlife case

Posted 09 2 2007 7:35PM

JODHPUR, India (Reuters) - Bollywood star Salman Khan wasarrested by Indian police on Saturday and sent to jail after acourt rejected his appeal against a five-year sentence forshooting endangered gazelles.

Television pictures showed the muscular actor surrounded bypolicemen as he left Jodhpur airport after arriving fromMumbai. TV crews and fans jostled to get a glimpse of him andpolice struggled to keep order.

"He has been arrested at the airport lounge and the arrestwarrant was presented to him there," a police official said.

Dozens of fans on motorcycles followed the police vehicleon its way to court where Khan was ordered to be jailed, policeofficials said. He was immediately taken to the local prison.

The actor said earlier on Saturday he would surrender inJodhpur after the rejection of the appeal against his 2006conviction for killing several endangered species of antelopeduring hunting trips to the western state of Rajasthan in 1998.

The animals are protected under Indian wildlife law.

Khan was alleged to have slit the throat of the chinkaragazelle that he shot before giving it to chefs at his deluxehotel to cook.

On Friday, a Jodhpur court rejected his appeal against theconviction, leaving him with the option of surrendering orbeing arrested. The court also issued an arrest warrant againsthim.

The actor's father, Salim Khan, felt his son received atough sentence because he was a celebrity.

"Even if you are a public figure it does not mean youshould get extra punishment ... treat him like any other man,"the actor's father, Salim Khan, told Times Now news channel.

OTHER CASES

Khan had said in Mumbai he planned to surrender in Jodhpur"as a responsible citizen and somebody who abides by the lawand respects the judiciary."

He was accompanied by his lawyer and family members,including his actor-brother Sohail Khan.

Renowned for his bad-boy image and romantic liaisons withseveral Bollywood leading ladies, Khan has several other caseshanging over him.

He was convicted in 2006 for killing protected blackbuckantelopes during Rajasthan hunting trips and given a one-yearjail sentence.

He was granted bail and has appealed against thatconviction. He has also been charged with other counts ofkilling wildlife and of breaking gun laws.

In addition, Khan is facing trial over the death of a mansleeping on a pavement in Mumbai in 2002. Khan is suspected ofdrunk-driving. The actor has denied being at the wheel.

Khan, who plays comedy roles and often acts with his shirtoff, is filming three movies costing about 1 billion rupees($24 million), according to film analyst Taran Adarsh.