'Hair op' kept actor from court

BBC News, Mumbai

Khan is battling against a receding hairline

Bollywood star Salman Khan has given an unusual excuse for not attending court this week in India - he was recovering from hair implants, his lawyers say.

They told the High Court in Mumbai (Bombay) that doctors had advised him to stay at home after the operation.

Khan had his bail cancelled on Monday for failing to show up at his trial for poaching in Jodhpur in Rajasthan state.

The High Court was more sympathetic and gave Khan until 20 December to attend court in Jodhpur, or face arrest.

'Hair-weaving'

Many Bollywood actors undergo cosmetic surgery to make themselves look younger, but few are willing to talk about operations openly or admit to having them done.

Mr Khan and I will now go to Jodhpur on 20 December, say sorry to the judge and request for the warrant to be cancelled

Lawyer Dipesh Mehta

Khan's lawyer, Dipesh Mehta, said this was the first time the actor had had hair implants.

"Salman Khan had just returned from Dubai and undergone hair-weaving treatment," he told the BBC. "He was also suffering from flu and not feeling well."

Mr Mehta said he had sent a doctor's certificate to the court in Jodhpur explaining why his client would be absent on 12 December.

"However, the judge did not take it kindly and issued a warrant in his name.

"Mr Khan and I will now go to Jodhpur on 20 December, say sorry to the judge and request for the warrant to be cancelled."

'Hit-and-run'

Salman Khan is accused of killing two blackbucks, a small, protected species of Indian antelope, in the city of Jodhpur during a film shoot in 1998.

He denies the charges.

The 40-year-old, who has a reputation for reckless behaviour, is one of Bollywood's top actors.

He delivered two hits this year, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (Why Did I Fall In Love) and No Entry.

The poaching case is not the actor's first brush with the law. He is also facing trial in Mumbai in a 2002 hit-and-run case.

One person was killed and three others injured when Khan allegedly drove into a group of homeless people sleeping on a pavement.

Khan faces 10 charges, including causing death by negligent driving which carries two years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.