Movie star Salman Khan managed to avoid the spotlight when he returned to court yesterday over his five-year jail sentence for killing endangered wildlife.
Salman, one of the world’s highest-paid actors, was convicted last month of shooting dead two rare antelopes known as black bucks on a 1998 hunting trip.
He spent two days behind bars before being granted bail.
The Bollywood icon was ordered to appear in court yesterday and an early-morning hearing was held in Jodhpur.
Khan arrived in a white SUV and slipped into court around 8am (0230GMT) surrounded by minders, catching media and his army of fans off guard.
Court sessions generally start much later.
The judge, Chandra Kumar Songara, quickly adjourned proceedings after Salman’s defence team requested more time to prepare their appeal.
Salman, who is not allowed to leave the country without permission returned directly to Jodhpur airport after the hearing.
“We will begin arguments on the appeal against the five-year sentence from July 17,” said defence counsel Mahesh Bora.
Prosecutors said they would oppose the appeal bid and were ready to present their case.
Four other actors were acquitted in last month’s verdict and Salman has repeatedly denied killing the animals — accusing Rajasthan’s forest department of trying to frame him.
His lawyers claim the black bucks died of natural causes such as overeating, insisting there was no evidence they were shot.
Throughout the multiple cases, eyewitnesses have stated they saw Salman firing a gun.
The 52-year-old enjoys a cult-like status in star-obsessed India and is one of Bollywood’s biggest draws, despite a host of controversies.
Salman was in a vehicle in Mumbai in 2002 when it mounted the curb and killed a homeless man sleeping on the pavement.