Bollywood film star freed on bail

Salman Khan is one of Bollywood's biggest stars

Leading Bollywood star Salman Khan has been freed on bail after three days in an Indian jail following his sentence for poaching rare antelope.

A court in Jodhpur in the western state of Rajasthan granted bail to the star, who was handed a five-year prison term on Monday.

Khan, who has always denied wrongdoing, has said he will appeal against the sentence in a higher court.

His lawyers told the judge that Khan will be present in court when required.

Earlier they approached the court for bail on humanitarian grounds.

They also argued that they had not had the opportunity to cross-examine a key eyewitness.

Bail was posted at 200,000 rupees ($4,420).

Troubled star

Khan, 40, who has a reputation for reckless behaviour, is one of Bollywood's top actors.

He faces two other court cases relating to a hunting trip in Jodhpur in 1998, when two black bucks, a protected antelope species, were killed.

Last week a court rejected his application to summon a key witness who he claims retracted earlier statements that he had seen Khan killing one of the black bucks.

But his release will be welcomed by the film industry which has millions of dollars riding on the star.

Khan is currently involved in seven film projects.