The Mumbai
High court in the Indian city of Mumbai has suspended Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan’s sentence for a 2002 hit-and-run conviction, pending his appeal.
Salman was convicted on Wednesday by a lower court of culpable homicide.
The court sentenced the actor to five years in prison for killing Noor-Ullah Khan by driving a TOYOTA LAND-CRUISER SUV over him as he slept on a pavement. Four others were injured.
Many expected Khan to be jailed on Friday but the court extended bail. A final appeal hearing is due in July.
During his trial, Khan argued his driver had been behind the wheel, but the judge said it was the actor who had been driving, under the influence of alcohol.
Within hours of his conviction on Wednesday, Khan approached the high court and was given interim bail for two days, meaning he stayed out of prison.
The actor – who had faced a possible 10-year jail term – then went home, where a number of Bollywood stars have since met him.
In the high court, Khan’s lawyers argued that the prosecution had not been able to prove his guilt, that a key witness had been ignored and that the actor had been given a harsh sentence because of his celebrity status.
Correspondents say Friday’s ruling will be a huge relief for the actor whose sentencing had divided Indians.
A prosecution lawyer told reporters that as a convict, Khan would need the court’s permission to travel abroad.
While Khan’s friends and colleagues in Bollywood and many fans have spoken out in his support, others called for him to be treated like any other citizen of the country who had committed a crime.
On Friday, Khan fans celebrated outside him home – many were seen distributing sweets, setting off firecrackers, dancing and singing in his support.
Many fans also gathered outside the court. One, Gorang Kundu, attempted to kill himself by consuming poison.
Reports said Mr Kundu had earlier distributed leaflets in which he offered to be jailed in place of the actor. He was taken away by the police.
The high court’s decision has also been criticised extensively and many Indians have taken to social media sites to express their unhappiness.
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