Appeal is the only way out

The sessions judge may hear this appeal himself or transfer it to any other additional sessions judge for hearing.

So what next? Does Salman Khan sit it out in jail while his producers and fans pray for his release or is there a glimmer of hope? For now, it doesn't seem like the end of the road for Salman.

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With Tuesday being a holiday, Salman and his lawyers will have to wait till Wednesday to file a 'criminal appeal' under Section 374 [3] of the CrPC in the Jodhpur sessions court. The sessions judge may hear this appeal himself or transfer it to any other additional sessions judge for hearing. Section 374 [3] of the CrPC says any person convicted on a trial held by the magistrate can appeal in a sessions court.

While there was no word from Salman's lawyers on the possibility of filing an appeal, sources said the actor's counsel HM Saraswat and Dipesh Mehta, Salman's Mumbai-based advocate were discussing the case. Dipesh had arrived in Jodhpur on Tuesday with Salman's family members.

Sources said it was also possible that along with the appeal, Salman's counsel may move an application for the suspension of the sentence passed by the chief judicial magistrate on Monday. But for suspending the sentence, the court has to record the reasons in writing.