The 15-day jail sentence for actor John Abraham has shocked everyone close to him, and that includes his parents and girlfriend.

A day after the verdict, actress Bipasha Basu is still reeling under shock. "We'll go to a higher court to fight the verdict. We can't just accept it quietly. John has been treated unfairly, " she said.

When the jail sentence was read out in the courtroom, Abraham went so pale that people around thought he would pass out.

More than himself, he was concerned about what his God-fearing parents, who have never seen the inside of a police station or courtroom, would go through when they heard about the sentence for an offence that was committed so long ago that even the people closest to him had forgotten about it, a source said.

Basu, who was at a shoot, didn't hear of the verdict till late in the night. She said, "Can you believe it? My phone had stopped working on Thursday. We knew John was going into court, but thought the matter would be closed this time." While Abraham remains tight-lipped about the jail sentence, his friends are concerned about how he has taken the shocking news.

"More than himself, John's concern was for his family and for youngsters who look up to him as a role model. He is not an irresponsible person. In fact, he's very conscious of his social responsibilities. It's unfair to punish him for an incident in which he was hurt the most, " Basu said.

"We'll fight this together. John is a good human being. I'm not saying this because I am his girlfriend. To his credit, he continued the promotional work for Jhootha Hi Sahi despite the shock, " the actress said, breaking down.

"As an individual and a citizen of this country, I can only say what I feel. And I have to say, with due respect to the legal system, that John doesn't deserve this. Just because he happens to be a star, he's an easy target.

The same offence committed by a non-celebrity would most likely be treated differently. Since he rides a bike, he's very careful about road rules. He doesn't allow any of his friends to drive out on a bike without a helmet. He doesn't bribe the cops, he pays his taxes... what is he being punished for?"

Close friend and director of his forthcoming film, Abbas Tyrewala said, "The best rumour I've heard recently is that John's predicament is a publicity stunt for our film. On Twitter, a woman asked me if AR Rahman's misadventure at the Commonwealth Games was a publicity stunt for Jhootha Hi Sahi. All I can say is, have a heart, guys. Don't celebrities have feelings?"