Aamir’s turn to face chinkara case

KUTCH: After Salman Khan’s conviction in a poaching case, filmstar Aamir Khan, who had used a chinkara while shooting his Oscar-nominated film Lagaan, may soon face charges of cruelty to the rare deer.

Confirming this, Conservator of Forests for Kutch region R L Meena said Aamir had requested the Deputy Forest Conservator for a chinkara, which was to be used in a scene of his film. “Though the DFC informed the conservator, permission to give him the deer was not sought from principal chief conservator of forests, who is the only authorised person to give such permits,” he said. He said he would consult the chief wildlife warden of the state in the matter and seek his permission to conduct an inquiry against the officials concerned and Aamir.

Aamir had shot major parts of the film in Kutch region, especially in Banni area or near Mandvi coast. The chinkara was required for a scene shot in Kunaria village of Bhuj tehsil, in which an English official shoots at the animal and Aamir, in the role of a villager, saves it and helps it escape into the forest.

DFC S T Chaturvedi had told the conservator that one chinkara, seized from a person in Khavda village, was available with the department, which could be given for the film shooting.  Meena said that keeping a chinkara in custody is illegal and even the then principal chief conservator of forests G A Patel had asked for an explanation as to why the deer had not been let out in the forest.