The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to Bollywood actor John Abraham in a 2006 case of rash and negligent driving.
Earlier, the sessions court dismissed his plea challenging the 15-day simple imprisonment awarded by a trial court in 2010, and ordered his detention following which he was taken into police custody.
The judge also rejected Mr. Abraham's plea seeking time to surrender before the trial court. The actor later moved the Bombay High Court against the sessions court order and sought bail.
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The incident happened in 2006 when Mr. Abraham's bike skidded across the road causing minor injuries to two youngsters. The police later booked him under IPC Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others). However, according to the actor's application, even the victims “had not made out a case of either criminal negligence or rashness” against him.
Justice R.C. Chavan of the High Court ordered Mr. Abraham's release while suspending his sentence on a surety of Rs. 20,000. “Considering the fact that the victims suffered only simple injuries and the accused has been on bail throughout, he may be released on bail,” he said.
The actor's counsel, Abad Ponda, earlier said there was no negligence or rashness in Mr. Abraham's driving and the injuries to the two victims were simple in nature. He said the actor had himself taken the victims to hospital after the accident.
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