Court suspends Salman Khan sentence.




The high court in the Indian city of Mumbai has suspended Bollywood star Salman Khan's sentence for a 2002 hit-and-run conviction, pending his appeal.
Khan 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 over him as he slept on a pavement. Four others were injured.
Many expected Khan to be jailed today 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 jail.
The actor - who had faced a possible 10-year jail term - then went home, where a number of Bollywood stars met him.
Correspondents say Friday's ruling will be a huge relief for the actor whose sentencing had divided Indians.

While Khan's friends and colleagues in Bollywood and many fans and others spoke 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's fans began celebrating outside the court and outside him home.
Khan is one of Bollywood's biggest stars, appearing in more than 80 Hindi-language films. Several of his films, including Dabangg, Ready, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun, have been huge commercial hits.
The case has gripped Bollywood and India for years - and looks set to continue as lawyers argue in the appeal courts.


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