Sonil Dedhia (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2016)
The Sessions Court on Thursday heard the Jiah Khan death case after the Bombay High Court lifted the stay on the trial against actor Sooraj Pancholi on May 2, 2016. The actress had allegedly committed suicide in her Juhu apartment on June 3, 2013, following which her mother Rabiya Khan pressed murder charges against her daughter's then boyfriend Sooraj.The actor was present for the hearing along with his lawyer Prashant Patil. Justice Anju Shende, who was hearing the case, questioned advocate Swapnil Ambure (Rabiya's legal representative) about how his client had time to give interviews in the media but couldn't come to the court and conduct the matter. The request to adjourn the matter was rejected on these grounds.
Shende also rejected the CBI's request to conduct the prosecution as the court has already decided that the trial will be conducted by the State as the first charge sheet was filed by them. The judge also questioned the absence of Special Public Prosecutor Dinesh Tiwari.
When BT contacted Rabiya, who is currently in London, she said in a text message, “I am really disappointed that the Sessions Court has rejected my application to adjourn the matter. In the last hearing which took place in February this year, I had requested for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the matter. The High Court questioned me saying that as I wasn't content with the CBI's probe or with the State Police's investigation, there is no guarantee that I would be satisfied with the SIT's findings either.“
On being asked whether she will be present for the next hearing on June 7, she said, “I am not keeping well and it costs a lot of money to arrange the travel. It has been three years since I have been fighting this case. God knows that the man is evil and he will be punished in due time. He is strong and powerful but that will last only a short while. I believe justice will be served.“
At the time of going to press, the Sessions Court was yet to frame charges against Sooraj.