Bombay HC orders stay on Jiah Khan case till 7th

A vacation bench of the Bombay high court on Monday granted a stay till June 7, on the trial of Bollywood actress Jiah Khan’s death case. The stay however, would affect the trial only if a regular court continues it because the next date of hearing the trial court is June 10.

The division bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Dr Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi on Monday heard application moved by Jiah’s mother Rabia Khan seeking a stay on the trail.

She has sought stay on the ground that her application seeking further investigation into her daughter’s death by the Special Invesigation Team (SIT) is pending before the high court.

The trial court is expected to frame charges on actor Sooraj Pancholi, Jiah’s former boyfriend. As per the chargesheet filed by CBI, Sooraj abetted to Jiah’s suicide while Rabia is claiming that she was murdered.

Rabia’s lawyer Subhash Jha argued before the court that earlier a regular bench of the high court had granted stay on the trial but later refused to extend the stay. Following this petitioner had approached the Supreme Court, which on May 17, asked her to petition the high court again and also asked the HC to decide her application expeditiously.

Apart from not being satisfied with the charge of abetment to suicide Rabia has also alleged that the way the trial court is conducting the matter, it is likely Sooraj would be discharged in the case. Advocate Jhan also pointed out to court that CBI is vehemently opposing appointment of a special public prosecutor in the case.

If the regular bench does not extend stay on trial or form an SIT, there is possibility that the court would frame charges on Sooraj.