Johnny Lever released on bail

MUMBAI, Dec 9: Film actor and mimicry artiste Johnny Lever was today released on a bail of Rs 10,000, along with one surety, following the suspension of his sentence for a period of one month by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate K H Holambe-Patil.

Lever was convicted on Tuesday and sentenced to seven days imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1000 for insulting the national anthem and Constitution of India during a private performance in Dubai in 1989. Lever was taken into judicial custody last night and was lodged at Arthur Road Central prison.

An application for supsension of the sentence for a period of one month to enable Lever to file an appeal before Sessions Court was filed by Lever’s advocate Usman Vanjara under Section 389 (I) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Therefter, the court suspended the order and directed Lever to file his appeal at Sessions Court before January 8, 1999.