In a bid to provide relief to Bollywood superstar Salman Khanfrom getting a “harsh” five-year jail term in the 2002 hit-and-run case,the Bombay High Court on Friday ruled that he does not have to go to jail till his appeal against the conviction has been decided.
Many eyebrows rose with the way Bombay HC ruled the justice for the Bollywood star- interim bail on Wednesday and regular bail within two days.
Several legal experts say such swiftness has no precedence, while few say the superstar had a political support.
“If you can hire an expensive lawyer, justice is very cheap in India”, “those who have money can get away with anything”, “it is difficult for the poor to get justice in this country, it is difficult to punish those who wield influence” these are the some of the messages which went viral on social media after Salman walked free.
Common bail applicants, especially from the weaker sections of society, remains in jail for several months or years together before their bail or appeal comes up for hearing in the “regular course”.
According to sources at least 2.73 lakh undertrials are pending before Indian judiciary, many of whom may be innocent and are unable to secure bail andare suffering behind the bars across the country.
Legal experts say Salman definitely played his cards smartly by immediately filing an appeal before the Bombay High Court and by hiring India’s most expensive and proficient advocate Harish Salve after being found guilty.
Salman may have used his legal resources to the best, but bail on the first hearing itself, on both the occasions is rare even then.