The high court in the Indian city of Mumbai has suspended Bollywood star Salman Khan's sentence for a 2002 hit-and-run conviction, pending his appeal.

Khan was convicted on Wednesday by a lower court of culpable homicide.

The court sentenced the actor to five years in prison for killing Noor Ullah Khan by driving over him as he slept on a pavement. Four others were injured.

Many expected Khan to be jailed on Friday but the court extended bail. A final appeal hearing is due in July.

During his trial, Khan argued his driver had been behind the wheel, but the judge said it was the actor who was driving, under the influence of alcohol.

Within hours of his conviction on Wednesday, Khan approached the high court and was given interim bail for two days, meaning he stayed out of jail.

The actor - who had faced a possible 10-year jail term - then went home, where a number of Bollywood stars met him.

Correspondents say Friday's ruling will be a huge relief for the actor whose sentencing had divided Indians.

While Khan's friends and colleagues in Bollywood and many fans and others spoke out in his support, others called for him to be treated like any other citizen of the country who had committed a crime.

(BBC)