Salman Khan photographed at the High Court in Mumbai on December 10.
Actor Salman Khan is a free man after being acquitted of all charges in the 2002 hit-and-run case by the Bombay High Court. Some hours after the court's verdict, the 49-year-old actor said in a tweet that he 'accepted the decision with humility.'
On Twitter, several of his friends rushed to post updates about how thrilled they were. However, Bollywood's biggest guns have so far been silent, unlike the concerted closing of ranks in May when the actor was convicted by a Sessions Court.
Colleagues tweeting included Mr Khan's
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo co-star Anupam Kher,
Kyon Ki co-star and
Bigg Boss contestant Rimi Sen, director Subhash Ghai, who co-produced the remake of his film
Hero with Mr Khan this year, Milap Zaveri, writer of Salman Khan's 2005 film
Lucky: No Time For Love. Singer Mika Singh and Censor Board member Ashoke Pandit.
BJP member Shaina NC, who caused much comment in May with a tweet criticizing the court's conviction of Salman Khan, also tweeted after the High Court's verdict:
In May, a Sessions Court found Salman Khan guilty of drunkenly driving over pavement dwellers in September 2002, killing one. He was sentenced to five years in jail, a sentence that was later suspended by the Bombay High Court pending an appeal. On December 10, the High Court decided Mr Khan could not be convicted on the basis of the evidence produced by the prosecution. As the judge read out the order, Mr Khan broke down in court, surrounded by his family. (Also Read:
Salman Khan Acquitted By Bombay High Court In 2002 Hit-And-Run Case)
Salman Khan was seen in two blockbuster films this year -
Bajrangi Bhaijaan and
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.