MUMBAI- Actor Salman Khan was on Saturday released from the Jodhpur jailafter being granted bail by a Sessions Court in the 1998 blackbuck poachingcase in which he was sentenced to five years in jail.

The actor faces a setback as he has been barred by the Court from leavingthe country.

Khan’s release was ordered on a bail bond of ₹50,000. The court alsoallowed suspension of sentence during the pendency of Salman’s appealagainst his conviction. In addition, the court added a condition that Khancannot leave the country without the court’s permission.

He has been directed to appear in person on May 7 in the appellate courtfor hearing on his appeal against conviction and sentence.

Defence counsel Hastimal Saraswat said the court had accepted the groundson which Salman’s lawyers had argued.

Khan’s fans, who had gathered outside the court, raised slogans in hissupport, with some shouting “Bajrangi Bhaijan”. A crowd gathered outsidethe jail as well, cheering and raising slogans when the news reached.”Never jumped bail”

Earlier in the day on Saturday morning, both the defense counsel and thepublic prosecutor completed their arguments. Defense counsel Mahesh Boratold the court that Khan would not misuse his liberty if granted bail. “Henever jumped the bail during the last 19 years,” Mr. Bora said.

Public Prosecutor Pokar Ram opposed the defense’s arguments and said theother cases of Salman’s acquittal were pending in the Supreme Court andthere was no finality in them as yet.

Khan was convicted of killing two endangered blackbucks and sentenced tofive years in prison. He was also ordered to pay a fine of ₹10,000.