Jiah Khan Suicide: HC twist, a privilege to Suraj Pancholi

Mumbai, July 2: The Bombay High Court granted bail to Suraj Pancholi who was charged of abatement to suicide of Bollywood actor Jiah Khan. It seems that Suraj was privileged by the court's order which pointed out that Jiah had "suicidal tendency".

Granting bail to Suraj, the court said, "...it cannot be said that on June 3, he (Suraj) had acted in any manner which could reflect a mens rea (intention) that he wanted her to commit suicide. In the absence of any mens rea, instigation or aid, it cannot be said that (Suraj) had driven her to commit suicide on that day."

Analysing the "suicide note", which was submitted by Jiah's family days after her suicide, the court asked, "Is the script addressed to Suraj or (are they) extracts from her diary? Whether it can be called a suicide note? When there is no date on it can it be linked to the day she committed suicide?"

Speaking about Jiah's nature, the noted that Suraj earlier had helped Jiah when she had tried to commit suicide. Snubbing the statement of Mumbai Police over Jiah's abortion, the court said, "...abortion appeared to be out of (her own) volition and therefore it cannot be said that (Suraj) had forced her to undergo medical termination of pregnancy or otherwise."

The judge also noted that Suraj did not ruin any evidence related to the suicide case. He said, "It cannot be said as of now that Suraj has caused disappearance of evidence. He did not make any attempt to destroy the letters (reportedly written by Jiah) in his possession."

22-year-old Suraj, son of Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested and denied bail by a session court. He was sent to judicial custody till July 11.

The Pancholis challenged the session court and moved the high court. Suraj got bail on a surety of Rs 50,000. He is expected to be released from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail on Tuesday, July 2.

25-year-old Jiah was found dead in her Juhu residence in Mumbai on June 3. Her mother and sister were not present at the flat. Postmortem report said the young actress died due to hanging.

OneIndia News