Salman Kahn Latest News: Prison Sentence Suspended Pending Appeal, Allowed Bail

Bollywood’s Salman Khan has been given a bit of a reprieve.

Khan, one of India’s most popular stars, had his prison sentence suspended while he appeals his fatal hit-and-run conviction. Khan was given two days bail and was to surrender on Friday, but his bail has been extended. Crowds outside the court erupted in applause when they heard of the suspended sentence, according to CNN.

Khan was sentenced on Wednesday to five years after being found guilty for running over several sleeping men on the pavement in Mumbai. One man died because of the injuries he received.

Friday, the Mumbai High Court suspended Khan’s prison sentence until his appeal is heard. The High Court has advised Khan he is unable to leave the country without permission.

Khan’s presence in the Bollywood film industry is indeed most powerful. The 49-year-old has starred in over 80 movies and is considered the top actor in India. Many industry experts say if Khan’s sentence is carried out, the Bollywood film industry could lose more than $31 million.

People magazine once placed Khan at number 7 in their list of sexiest men alive. He has a huge Twitter following (over 11 million) and has reigned over the Indian film industry, popularity-wise, for more than two decades now.

Live Mint is reporting that Justice Abhay Thipsay felt it was best for Khan to spend his time out of prison while his appeal was being heard.

“In many cases people have suffered and spent their entire prison term only to be acquitted later by the high court,” Thipsay said.

Thipsay then asked Khan to appear at the court since the interim bail was to end, issue a fresh bail for Khan at 30,000 rupees, then had Khan furnish a surety for the bail amount.

“The normal rule is that when an appeal is admitted and the sentence is under seven years, it (the sentence) is suspended. Why do you (prosecution) want to depart from this norm?” Justice Thipsay said to the prosecution as they tried to block the suspension and bail.

On September 28, 2002, Khan was driving home from a bar after drinking. While passing a bakery in Bandra, he ran over five men who were sleeping on the pavement just outside the bakery. Khan drove his Toyota Land Cruiser over the five men, killing one and injuring the others.

Justice Thipsay has expedited Khan’s appeal hearing to June 15. Thipsay will then decide whether his conviction of culpable homicide will stand or be set aside.

“There are a number of arguable points raised about whether or not Khan was driving the car. It is also nobody’s case that Khan will abscond if he released on bail, pending appeal,” Justice Thipsay said.

On that point, defense council argued that family driver Ashok Singh was indeed driving, and not Khan.