Salman Khan at his residence on Wednesday
Actor Salman Khan, who has been sentenced to five years in jail for killing a man in a 2002 hit-and-run, need not be present when a court in Mumbai hears his plea for bail tomorrow.
The 49-year-old moved the Bombay High Court for a reprieve after a sessions court held him guilty yesterday of driving drunk and crashing into a group of men sleeping on a pavement on the night of September 28, 2002.
The actor returned home from court last evening after the high court granted him bail till Friday.
There was a constant stream of high profile visitors today at Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartments residence in Bandra, just a few km away from the site of the accident. Abdullah Shaikh, one of those injured in the crash, still lives there, and he too had visitors - camera crew and reporters who wanted a sound-bite.
Actor Aamir Khan, a co-star and a close friend, was among the early visitors at Salman Khan's home. The two hugged when Aamir left, and it was the first glimpse of Salman Khan on Thursday.
Shah Rukh Khan's visit the night before the verdict had caused a flutter. The two actors patched up recently after a six-year public feud.
Others who showed up to express solidarity with the actor were Hrithik Roshan, Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar, Govinda and Sonakshi Sinha.
Politician Raj Thackeray also paid a visit.
On Wednesday, a judge told Salman Khan, "You were driving the car, without a licence and you were under the influence of alcohol."
Mr Khan broke down in court after hearing his sentence. The court said all seven charges against him - including culpable homicide - had been proven. The maximum sentence he faces is 10 years in jail.