Jiah Khan suicide: Court rejects Suraj Pancholi's bail plea

Mumbai, June 22: A sessions court on Friday rejected the bail plea of Suraj Pancholi, son of an actor couple, arrested on charges of abetting the suicide of actress Jiah Khan.

The court rejected the bail after the prosecution opposed it on the ground that investigations had reached a crucial stage and his release may hamper the probe.

In his bail plea, Suraj, lodged in Arthur Road Central jail here since June 10, contended the complainant and Jiah's mother, Rabiyah Khan, were seeking revenge for reasons best known to them.

The bail application, filed through his lawyer CK Talekar, also alleged Rabiyah was "misusing" Jiah's letter which was found four days after her suicide at her house on June 3 here.

Police had arrested Suraj, son of Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, on the basis of this letter. They claimed the letter was "incriminating" against Suraj as Jiah blamed him for her downslides in life.

However, Suraj's bail plea contended the five-page letter cannot be written before committing suicide. Moreover, it was not addressed to him and does not carry his name.

The Andheri magistrate's court had earlier remanded Suraj in judicial custody after rejecting the police's application for custody. Thereafter, he filed the bail application.

Jiah's letter alleged she was "heartbroken" in her relationship with Suraj and was fed up with his "womanising".

Meanwhile, the defense arguing for the bail of Suraj, told the court that Jiah had done abortion on her own and it was not Suraj who coaxed for it. "They were two consenting individual in a sexual relationship, if there was any as claimed by the police", argued Talekar.

Talekar also argued if Suraj was assaulting and abusing her, even then she was seen roaming and partying with him.

He also contended the medical test is only on abortion and it does not refer to issues relating to paternity. "It cannot be said that she conceived from the accused," argued Talekar.

He further said the police had sent the note found on Jiah's residence for expert analysis but it takes at least eight months for getting the report.

He also told the court that it was unlikely that the letter was found four days after the suicide. "It is highly suspicious that the letter was found by the sister of the deceased four days later while the police had initially said that they did not find any suicide note."

However, police told the court that they intend to add some more sections in the case. It can be recalled that during Suraj's remand the police had said that they want to investigate the rape angle in the case as Jiah's note contained the word 'rape'.

Police also said there are many judgements by the apex court to show that in such cases, suicide notes have been taken as dying declaration.

The prosecution also told the court that CDR records of calls and messages between them was the clincher against Suraj.

PTI