The Hindu : National : Salman Khan arrives home

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 14, 2006

National

National

Salman Khan arrives home

Freed on conditional bail; court orders him not to leave India

— Photo: AP

OUT OF JAIL: Bollywood actor Salman Khan comes out of the jail in Jodhpur on Thursday.

MUMBAI: Actor Salman Khan arrived here on Thursday along with his friend and actress Katrina Kaif in a chartered aircraft after being released on bail by a Jodhpur court in a poaching case.

Several fans gathered outside his Bandra residence to greet their favourite actor, who spent three days in prison after he was convicted by a court for killing a `chinkara' (blackbuck) in 1998.

Earlier in the day, a sessions court, admitting his appeal, granted him conditional bail. Salman's mother, Salma, who was admitted to a hospital after hearing news of his arrest, was discharged on Thursday.

While granting bail to Salman, District and Sessions Judge G.S. Surana directed him to furnish a personal bond of Rs. 2 lakh and two sureties of Rs. 1 lakh each. Salman has been ordered not to leave the country without permission of the court.

The Judge admitted Salman's appeal against his five-year jail sentence and fixed June 19 for final hearing on suspension of the sentence.

Fans cheer

A report from Jodhpur said the 40-year-old star was received by his brother Sohail, sister Alivera, Ms. Katrina Kaif, Bollywood personalities Sajid Nadiadwala, Govinda and David Dhawan as he came out of the prison.

A large number of his fans and supporters cheered him as he drove past the gate in a maroon Qualis.

Salman had chappati and dal for lunch in the jail itself and met Jail Superintendent M.L. Chauhan before he was whisked away by policemen to a hotel.

The actor did not speak to the media. Ms. Alivera and Mr. Sohail had offered prayers at the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer on Wednesday for Salman's early release. ``I am so happy,'' she said, a sentiment that Katrina echoed. — PTI

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