Mumbai: Actor Salman Khan returned home to a rousing welcome by hundreds of fans on Friday after the Bombay High Court suspended his 5-year jail term following which the sessions court extended his interim bail.
Hundreds of Khan's anxious fans had collected outside the high court and the actor's Bandra residence since early morning and the mood was sullen. Police contingents in riot gear deployed in both places had a tough time regulating the crowds that waited with bated breath for a 'positive' outcome on Khan's appeal in the high court.
As the word came out that the high court had stayed the sentence pending disposal of Khan's appeal, exultant fans burst firecrackers, broke into a wild jig, hopped, jumped and carried each other on shoulders, throwing traffic into disarray for a while. Sweets were kept ready for celebrations in the event of his prayer for bail being granted.
Khan, who was at his Galaxy Apartments residence in suburban Bandra, soon stepped out to loud cheers from delirious fans. As the superstar, dressed in blue jeans, white shirt and sporting sunglasses, left for the sessions court in his Mercedes SUV at the head of a convoy of vehicles, jubilant supporters were seen sprinting in pursuit.
The crowds that had parked themselves outside the star's residence left only after he gestured them to return to their homes. He folded his hands in gratitude and waved at them for a brief while before retreating from the balcony.
His father, scriptwriter Salim Khan, mother Salma, brother Arbaaz and sister Arpita also made a brief appearance on the balcony with him.
While ordering Khan to be enlarged on bail, Justice Thipsay said he would expedite the hearing on his appeal and posted the matter for June 15. He noted that Khan has been on bail throughout the trial even after being slapped with the serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He had earlier been tried by a Metropolitan Magistrate on the lesser charge of rash and negligent driving causing death.
