In a huge relief to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the Bombay High Court on Friday suspended his 5-year sentence in the 2002 hit-and-run case and granted him bail pending his appeal against conviction.

"He has been on bail for a long time and his liberty was not curtailed. Normally, in such cases, the appeal is admitted and an accused is granted bail," Justice Abhay Thipsay said, while staying his conviction and granting him bail.

The judge directed him to surrender before the trial court and furnish a fresh bail bond of Rs 30,000. The court will issue next directions on 15th June, and the hearing on actor's appeal will take place in the months of July.​

Delivering the verdict in the case that dragged on for over 12 years, sessions court judge DW Deshpande on Wednesday said "all charges" against the actor have been proved, which included the stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, besides various other offences, including rash and negligent driving and driving under influence of liquor.

Also read: Salman Khan verdict: This is how hit-and-run case unfolded

Latest updates

The actor tweets thanking fans and supporter for their wishes.

All those who prayed for and supported me thank u meherbani shukriya . — Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) May 8, 2015

After reaching home, a distinctly relieved Salman Khan reached out to his fans

Mumbai: Salman Khan waves at his fans & supporters from his residence #SalmanVerdict pic.twitter.com/sp2zBBTJ4J — ANI (@ANI_news) May 8, 2015

Actor Salman Khan has now left the Sessions Court after completion of formality. As asked by the Bombay HC, the actor surrendered in the Sessions Court, and he furnished fresh bail bond of Rs 30,000.

Salman Khan reaches Sessions court.

Salman's fans celebrate as court suspends his sentence

As the Bombay High Court uspended the five-year sentence awarded to Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case, scores of his fans who had converged at his residence in suburban Bandra here broke into jubilation.

A huge crowd including curious onlookers and admirers had gathered outside Galaxy apartments ahead of the court hearing on the 49-year-old actor's appeal against conviction.

Court to issue next directions on 15 June. Judge says that the hearing on appeal can be in the months of July-August.

Salman will first have to go to trial court to execute fresh bail bond as his interim bail ends today.

Deciding the conditions of bail, Judge Thipsay asked if Salman's passport was with him and was told that it was in the possession of the Bandra police and the actor routinely sought its permission before going abroad.

Bombay High Court suspends actor Salman Khan's sentence.

Salman Khan's fan attempted suicide outside Mumbai High Court, taken to hospital

* Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde: Kamal Khan was not available. He is a British national

* Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde: Bail should not be granted.

In the Court | ​Defense lawyer Amit Desai's argument in the court

This case is different from Alistair Pereira case, latter knew there were people sleeping on pavement. In this case it was'nt so. Defense lawyer concludes his argument.

* Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai: Prosecution has not proven that Salman was driving the car.

* Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai: CrPc 161 statements (statements before police officer) by witnesses are contradictory. Tyre burst argument was ignored by lower court. Witnesses said vehicle was at speed of 90-100. Then how can it take 30 minutes from Marriott to incident spot in Bandra, which is 14 kms away.

* Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai: Sessions court ignored 4th witness's (who was in the car) statement in the case. That statement was crucial.

* Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai: Kamal Khan was in the car but his statement was not taken into consideration by sessions court.

* Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai: Sentence should be suspended, it is not a matter of 304(2) but 304(1).

* Judge Thipsay seeks witness Ravindra Patil's statement.

* Judge: Why was Kamal Khan not examined?

Latest updates

Amit Desai asked the judge for some time for papers to reach court.

Proceedings begin fo Salman Khan's bail plea; Actor's lawyer Amit Desai arguing his appeal

Bombay High Court admits actor Salman Khan's appeal against conviction, begins hearing his bail plea.

Advocate Abha Singh, Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde in courtroom, Salman Khan's lawyer Amit Desai still to arrive.

Pavement dwellers protest outside High court

Live | Pavement dwellers protest outside High court, says no bail to Salman Khan http://t.co/pzUPQIyJk5 (Pic-ANI) pic.twitter.com/tQ8PP9XU2n — dna (@dna) May 8, 2015

Salman's sister Alvira Khan reaches High Court.

Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde reaches High Court for Salman Khan's hearing

If appeal is not acceded, then the sessions court will release arrest warrant : Abha Singh

Speaking to news agency, Senior Lawyer Abha Singh said, "Salman Khan is not needed to remain present in the court today. He can be represented by his lawyers. High Court can alter or reduce the charge, after the appeal is heard."

She further said, "If his appeal is not acceded then the sessions court will release an arrest warrant against Salman.

"If we feel Kamal Khan is needed for justice then we will file a petition to bring him back to India," she added.

Special Prayer

Speaking to ANI, victim Abdullah Sheikh said, "I lost my leg in the accident, but punishing Salman now will not achieve anything for anyone."

He also said that he has received compensation from the court but not from the actor.

Salman Khan may not appear before the High Court.

Advocate Amit Desai will appear for Salman Khan's bail application in Bombay High court.

Salman's appeal is listed for admission on the board of Justice Abhay Thipsay, who had granted him an interim bail for two days.

Background

The trial court on Wednesday found him guilty of ramming the American Express bakery in suburban Bandra with his Toyota Land Cruiser on September 28, 2002, killing one person and wounding four others sleeping on the pavement outside.

Delivering the verdict in the case that dragged on for over 12 years, sessions court judge DW Deshpande said "all charges" against the actor have been proved, which included the stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, besides various other offences, including rash and negligent driving and driving under influence of liquor.

Soon after the conviction, Salman's lawyer had moved the High Court which granted him interim bail for two days since he had not been given a detailed, reasoned copy of the verdict on the basis of which his appeal would be heard.

Salman has been convicted under Section 304 A of the Indian Penal Code (rash and negligent driving); 279 (rash driving); 337 (causing minor injuries); 338 (causing major injuries) 427 (negligence) in connection with the case. Under Motor Vehicle Act Sections 34 (a), (b) read with 181 (driving vehicle in contravention of rules); 185 (driving at great speed after consuming alcohol).