Already under investigation for having hunted down two blackbucks and a chinkara at Gudha Bishnoiyan and Kaknani villages near Jodhpur, this startling seizure could well mean disastrous consequences for the star in that case as well as embroil him in a fresh one: possession of endangered species is a offence treated on par with killing the animal, that is, a maximum of six years in prison and fine.

Acting on a tip off from the Bombay Environmental Action Group, wildlife officials attached to the Alibag Forest Division swung into action and confiscated the animals from the farmhouse at Vrindavan late in the evening.

``We were tipped off by one of our informers at Panvel. The information was passed on to the forest officials who took immediate action,'' revealed a BEAG source.

The raid wascarried out by Deputy Conservator of Forest Rajesh Das and Sub-DFO (Panvel Range) M Momin. The three deer (blackbuck and chinkara are species of deer) and peacock were found caged in the backyard of Khan's bungalow.

Even as the Alibag forest officials were making a panchnama late in the night, a team of officials from Mumbai rushed to Panvel to tranquilise the animals and bring them to Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli for safe custody. The services of a veterinarian have been enlisted for the operation.

It is still not clear whether the animals belonged to Salman or his father Salim but forest officials suspect the animals could have been trapped from some sanctuary or procured from some clandestine sources.

Senior wildlife officials told The Indian Express that blackbuck and chinkara are Schedule I animals protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Irrespective of whether in sanctuary or not, such offences are punishable with terms not less than one year and can beextended up to six years in addition to a fine.

Under section 32 of the Act, even capturing, killing, poisoning, snaring and trapping or any attempt to do so could attract the punishment. Abetting in killing or capturing a Schedule I animal is also punishable under section 52 of the WFC.

Earlier in the day Salman was released on bail in the case of hunting in the Guda Vishnoi on region of Jodhpur only to be arrested immediately afterwards over the killings of two chinkaras in Mathania region in the same district.

Civil judge and judicial magistrate Laxmi Dutt Kiradu ordered the release of the actor on a bail of Rs one lakh and two sureties of Rs 50,000 each from reputed persons when he was produced in the court by the forest officials a day ahead of the expiry of the remand period tomorrow.

However, additional district judge Amar Singh Singhal rejected Khan's anticipatory bail plea in the two cases registered by the forest officials with the police in Mathania village. Satish Shah, another actor whofigures in the hunting incident of September 26, was also denied anticipatory bail along with six others.

However, leaning back casually in his chair, laughing, cracking jokes with friends and well-wishers, with a mobile phone in his hand, Khan looked relaxed in his detention room in the office of the Conservator of Forests.

The office was his home for the moment and he was made as much at home as possible without attracting censure. An occasional police or forest official dropped in with a pad, seeking Khan's autograph. Around midnight, an inspector fetched him coffee. The court allowed Khan's lawyers to be present during his interrogation and ordered regular medical attention to ensure his mental and physical well-being.

Officers and several local persons say that hunting is a regular racket here. This time also, the complaints were lodged with the authorities immediately but action followed only after the incident was highlighted.

The hotel where the film stars were staying and from where thesafaris were organised, Umaid Bhawan Palace, belongs to Gaj Singh of the former ruling family of Jodhpur. Gaj Singh is also the president of the Rajasthan chapter of WWF for Nature, apart from being the Chairman of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. He has maintained a silence on the affair so far through the WWF issued a statement condemning the incident from Delhi.

A senior functionary of the hotel, Dushyant Singh, also said to be a relative of Gaj Singh, is named in one of the cases registered for hunting on Sept 28. He is absconding but is in touch with lawyers.