Jiah Khan suicide case: Court pulls up CBI, prosecutor

Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi arrives at the sessions court in connection with the Jiah Khan suicide case. (Photo: Shripad Naik)

The special women’s court on Thursday took a stern view at both the CBI and the special public prosecutor’s disinterest in framing of charges on Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi. The actor is an accused in Bollywood actor Jiah Khan’s suicide case. The court directed the public prosecutor present in court to argue on charges and the court then went ahead with proceedings to frame charges on Sooraj. The arguments of his defence lawyer however could not be completed and the court deferred hearing for two weeks.

Interestingly, the public prosecutor Kalpana Hire told the court that the complainant (Jiah Khan’s mother Rabia) in her statement has stated that she has reasons to believe that her daughter did not commit suicide but was murdered and hence the actor should be charged for murder. Rabia also said that as per material available on record the deceased had undergone abortion process also and hence the accused should also be charged with rape.

Although, initially she had sought two days’ time to read the chargesheet before arguing on charges, the judge however asked her to read the copy immediately and make her arguments.

Before commencement of arguments on framing of charges, the court also witnessed a high drama as the CBI counsel Bharat Badami moved an application claiming that the CBI has carried out further investigation in the case and it wants to prosecute the accused. The application also said that CBI does not want the state-appointed special public prosecutor Dinesh Tiwari to conduct the trial. In the CBI opening the case because Rabia’s application seeking an investigation by Special Investigating Team is pending before the court. Advocate Tiwari even sought adjournment of hearing till next date of hearing in high court but the judge rejected his application.

Special judge Anju Shende also rejected CBI’s application saying that this court has already decided this issue and has allowed special public prosecutor Tiwari to conduct the trial. The judge said that if the CBI is dissatisfied with the move, it is free to move the high court. She also criticised the special public prosecutor, the CBI as well as the lawyer appearing on behalf of Rabia for showing reluctance over making arguments to frame charges on Sooraj.

Once public prosecutor Hire concluded her arguments, defence lawyer Prashan Patil argued that even if the chargesheet is accepted without cross-examining witnesses there is not a single mention about murder.

He also argued that this was the first time that prosecution has spoken about murder and rape and there is not a single material on record to prove any of this. He further argued that there is nothing in the chargesheet that proves there is abetment to suicide. The court would continue hearing the arguments on May 20.