Tuesday, June 14 2005 08:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and six others, wanted in connection with hunting of a black buck, have been given time till June 16 to appear before the Haryana police even as the former Indian Cricket captain and a co-accused in the case yesterday (Jun 13, 2005) moved the High court in Chandigarh for anticipatory bail.

"Police is giving chance to Pataudi and others to present themselves before it. A fresh notice under section 160 of the Criminal procedure Code (CrPC) had been served to the accused asking them to present themselves before police by June 16," Jhajjar Superintendent of Police (SP) Hanief Qureshi told sources over the phone yesterday. The notices were issued on Sunday (Jun 12, 2005) night.

Meanwhile, Pataudi and Shashi Singh moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Their bail pleas will come up for hearing today (Jun 14, 2005).

Denying that he had fired at the black buck, Pataudi, in his application, contended that the autopsy report said it had died of a knife cut on its neck.

He further argued that the police cannot investigate the case as he was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Pataudi said he was 65 years old but was ready to make himself available wherever required for investigations.

Describing the case against him as "false", Singh said he was being dragged into it.

Meanwhile, Haryana's Transport Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed the State Government was not making any attempt to 'hush up" the case.