John Abraham granted bail

On Friday, just hours after the Bollywood actor John Abraham was taken into police custody in a six- year old case, he was granted bail by the Bombay high court.

A lower court passed the sentence of rash driving and injuring two people after running his Yamaha Hayabusa bike into a bicycle, injuring two youngsters - Shyam Kasbe (22) and Tanmay Majhi (19) at Carter Road in Bandra on April 8, 2006. The actor was returning from Maureen Wadia's Gladrags show while both the youngsters were returning after closing their shop.

On October 14, 2010, the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate Court had convicted him under section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and sentenced him to a 15-day jail term and he had to even pay a fine of Rs. 1,000. He was granted bail the same day. A fortnight later, the actor filed an appeal in the Sessions Court against the conviction. His appeal stated that "judge has misconstrued and has, without applying the principles relating to the acts of rashness and criminal negligence, convicted the applicant (John)".

Upholding his conviction, Sessions Judge N V Navkhar ordered his detention, following which he was taken into police custody. The actor later moved the High Court against the order and sought bail.

Justice R C Chavan said, "Considering the fact that the victims suffered only simple injuries and the accused has been on bail throughout, he ( John) may be released on bail." and suspended the sentence. One of the victims, Tanmay Mazi, even admitted that the bike was 30-35ft away when he was injured. "Our bicycle's wheel was stuck; the motorcycle was far away. I don't know how I fell."

The 39 year old actor was asked to deposit Rs 20,000 to secure bail. The actors counsel Abad Ponda earlier said no negligence or rashness in driving was shown by Abraham and the injuries to the victims were simple in nature. The actor had himself taken the victims to the hospital after the accident.

When the judge asked if John Abraham had tried to settle the matter with the injured, his lawyer said "Attempts to sort out the issue failed to fructify. Since the accused is a celebrity, such matters get publicised and hence a settlement could not be worked out."

Author : Suja , a management trainee, programmer, movie enthusiast and a fashion critic who loves to enjoy each moment of her life and is crazy  about music! (suja@indiaviolet.com)

Gift Coupons:

Unknown

- Unknown Updated at: Monday, March 12, 2012