Use your pen to protect endangered animals, HC tells Salim Khan

MUMBAI, NOV 7: The Bombay High Court today confirmed the interim bail granted to Salim Khan, script writer and father of actor Salman Khan, ...

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MUMBAI, NOV 7: The Bombay High Court today confirmed the interim bail granted to Salim Khan, script writer and father of actor Salman Khan, on October 23, 1998, in a case registered against him for allegedly keeping animals in captivity under the Wildlife Protection Act.

After hearing the anticipatory bail application of Khan, Justice F I Rebello directed the script writer to evolve a scheme for the protection of the environment and animals of endangered species, within a period of four weeks. Since Khan was a writer, the judge observed that he could use the might of his pen to further the cause of protecting wild animals.

On October 15, a black buck, a pea-hen and two spotted deers were seized by Forest Department officials from Salim’s farmhouse in Panvel. While the animals were being transported by forest officials to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, the black buck died.

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The court directed that, in the event of Salim’s arrest, he be allowed to furnish cash surety of Rs one lakh initially,which could be substituted by a solvent surety within the next 15 days. The writer was also directed to deposit his passport and report to the office of Deputy Conservator of Forests, Alibaug, on Mondays and Thursdays, between 2 pm and 6 pm for a period of four weeks. Salim has been asked to furnish his residential address in Mumbai and his telephone number to the authorities.

In his order, the judge also dealt with the existing state of flora and fauna of Raigad district and the need to protect it. The court also took on record, various measures undertaken by the Government in this regard, including the 48th Amendment to the Constitution to protect the flora and fauna of the state.

The judge also heard the bail application of Salim’s driver Babloo Singh and granted him also interim bail for a period of four weeks. Singh has been charged with transporting the wild animals from Mumbai to Panvel. He had moved the High Court for anticipatory bail on November 2, but was granted interm bail today.

After theanimals were seized from Salim’s farmhouse, he filed an anticipatory bail application before the vacation judge of the Sessions court in Mumbai, who ruled that his court had no jurisdiction to hear it because the offence was committed in Panvel. Thereafter Salim moved the High Court which granted him interim bail on October 23.