MUMBAI, March 9: Bollywood star John Abraham avoided jail on Friday when the Bombay High Court stayed a local court’s 15-day sentence against him for rash driving.

Abraham was originally sentenced in October 2010 and lost an appeal against the penalty at the Mumbai Sessions Court earlier on Friday, but a further appeal to the High Court saw the sentence stayed and the 29-year-old actor given bail.

“Considering the fact that the victims suffered only simple injuries and the accused has been on bail throughout, he may be released on bail,” said Justice R.C. Chavan, granting bail of 20,000 rupees ($400).

The case dates back to 2006, when Abraham was involved in an accident in suburban Mumbai while riding his Yamaha Hayabusa motorbike, which skidded and hit a bicycle, injuring two people.

Abraham stopped and helped the victims to hospital despite his own injuries.

Police charged Abraham with rash driving on a public way and endangering the life or personal safety of others.

The big-biceped movie star has a huge fan following in India where he is also Yamaha motorcycles’ brand ambassador.—AFP