Sheezan Khan walks out of Thane jail, after bail in Tunisha Sharma death case, reunites with sister

Television actor Sheezan Khan, in jail since December 25 last year for allegedly abetting the suicide of co-actor Tunisha Sharma, on Sunday walked out of jail after a court in Vasai in Maharashtra's Palghar district gave him bail.

Sharma (21), who was acting in the TV show 'Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul' along with Khan, was found hanging in the washroom on the set of the Hindi serial near Vasai, located on the outskirts of Mumbai, on December 24, 2022. She was in a relationship with Khan but they broke up later. Khan (28) was arrested the next day for abetment of suicide on a complaint lodged by Sharma's mother. A case under section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against him.

He was granted bail on Saturday by a court, which said there there was no need to keep him in jail since the probe was complete and chargesheet filed. Khan was hugged by his two sisters when he walked out of Thane Central jail, while several other relatives were visibly emotional, eyewitnesses said.

He drove away along with his kin without talking to reporters who were standing there since morning.

Why was Sheezan Khan given bail

In his order of Saturday, details of which were made available on Sunday, Additional Sessions Judge RD Deshpande said Khan's presence for the hearings can be ensured through certain bail conditions as well as obtaining heavy surety from him.

"After completion of investigation and filing of chargesheet, I do not find any special circumstances to keep this applicant (Khan) behind the bars. The say filed by the prosecution nowhere contemplates any sufficient grounds for which the applicant is to be detained behind bars," the judge said in the order.

In his submission to court, Khan's counsel Shailendra Mishra said even if it was assumed his client withdrew from the relationship with the deceased, refusal on his part to restore this relationship would not go on to satisfy ingredients of abetment.

The relationship had broken two months prior to the incident and the applicant's role in taking the victim to hospital showed his innocence in the case. Mishra further told court.

Khan is a well known actor and has a permanent place of residence in Mumbai and, therefore, would attend court dates diligently and regularly, he said, adding further jail time for him would mean pre-trial conviction.

In his bail order. Judge Deshpande said, "However, now investigation is complete and police have filed chargesheet in the Judicial Magistrate First Class Vasai. It is important to note even after filing of the charge sheet the police machinery is not able to bring on record as to what really happened between both of them in those last ten minutes." It has been argued by the prosecution the mobile phone of the deceased is not "opening" for collecting data, but that aspect is to be dealt with by the prosecution and the (forensic science) laboratory officials, the judge said.

The judge also cited congestion in jails as one of the reasons for granting bail, adding the prosecution could approach court if Khan violates any of the conditions laid down upon him.

Sheezan Khan's sister Falaq Naaz says 'sach ki jeet hui hai'

In a conversation with an entertainment portal, Sheezan's sister, actress Falaq Naaz stated that the truth has prevailed. "Sach ki jeet hui hai (Truth has prevailed). We are certain that we will be granted relief from the High Court as well. We can't wait to see him and walk back home with us after 70 days. We are speechless," Etimes quoted her as saying.