Mumbai (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to suspended SRPF officer Manohar Kadam in the 1997 Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar firing case and suspended the life sentence awarded to him by the sessions court.

While granting cash bail of Rs 50,000 to Mr. Kadam, a vacation bench of Justices Anand Nirgude and Rajesh Ketkar also admitted mr. Kadam's appeal and suspended his life sentence, his lawyer Raja Thakre said.

Mr. Kadam was admitted to a hospital after the sessions court convicted him for "culpable homicide not amounting to murder" earlier this month. He was later sent to jail.

"His sentence has been suspended," Mr. Thakre said.

Mr. Kadam, then sub-inspector with the State Reserve Police Force, was held responsible by sessions court for ten deaths in police firing on Dalit mob at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in suburban Ghatkopar here on July 11, 1997.

The mob was protesting the desecration of statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Mr. Kadam headed the SRPF platoon that was sent to the spot.

A commission of inquiry as well as the sessions court held that firing was unwarranted.

Mr. Thakre argued before High Court that Mr. Kadam himself did not fire a single round and required sanctions were not taken before prosecuting him.