Bollywood star Salman Khan gets bail after serving two days in jail
07 Apr 2018
JODHPUR, India - Bollywood superstar Salman Khan secured a get-out-of-jail ticket on Saturday so he can contest a five-year prison sentence for killing endangered wildlife two decades ago.
After spending two nights in Jodhpur Central Jail, Khan, one of the world's highest-paid actors, was given bail by a court in the city in Rajasthan state.
He was found guilty on Thursday of killing rare antelopes known as black bucks on a hunting trip while shooting a movie in 1998.
A judge signed off Khan's bail on a bond of 50,000 rupees ($770), his defense team said. Khan cannot leave the country without court permission.
The 52-year-old action movie star should be able to leave the prison before the end of the day.
Prosecution lawyer Mahipal Bishnoi told reporters that Khan must appear in court again on May 7.
The actor - affectionately called bhai, or brother in Hindi - enjoys a cult-like status.
Hordes of fans waiting outside the court on Saturday burst into celebrations after hearing the result, beating drums and chanting Khan's name.
Television footage showed swelling crowds - many emulating Khan's distinctive hair