Five times after his bail was refused, actor Salman Khan, accused in a hit-and-run case, was released on bail today. Pronouncing the order, Judge P.V. Bavkar told Khan to furnish a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with a surety of same amount. The judge also told Khan to deposit his passport at Bandra police station while permitting him to leave the country for work. The condition: He should furnish a detailed schedule to the police.Prior to the order, senior defence advocate Harshad Ponda, referring to the Oct 16 court order, which had denied his client bail then, argued that circumstances had changed. He said the investigation was complete and the chargesheet filed. The question of tampering with evidence did not arise.The public prosecutor R.V. Kini also agreed with the defence advocate’s contention and said there was no complaint from the police or witnesses that the accused had attempted to tamper with evidence or contact them, he said, adding that all the prosecution required was for Khan to be present during the trial. Kini said, the court could use its discretion to grant bail.
