Aspiring actor Suraj Pancholi, who got arrested two weeks ago and charged with the abetment of actress Jiah Khan's suicide, has been granted bail by Mumbai Court on Monday for surety of Rs.50,000.
“He has been let out on bail today. He had to pay 50,000 rupees," Pancholi's lawyer Zamir Khan told Reuters by telephone.
Investigators had requested the court for more time to question him about Jiah Khan's death. The actress committed suicide on June 3 by hanging herself in her flat in Mumbai. Her last call was to Pancholi.
Son of Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, Suraj Pancholi, was arrested on June 10th after Jiah Khan’s mother Rabiya Khan handed the Police 6 paged letter, which was considered as a suicide note.
In the widely published letter in public, Jiah Khan spoke about her turbulent relationship and physical and emotional abuse she was put through. She also wrote that she was forced to have an abortion against her will. Though the actress never named her boyfriend in the letter, Suraj Pancholi was arrested on basis of statements by Jiah Khan’s family as well as the fact that he was in relationship with the actress for a year.
Police have yet to file any charges against Pancholi. Suicide is a crime in India and abetting suicide is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Jiah Khan, whose real name is Nafisa Khan, was brought up in London. The actress recently moved to Mumbai to pursue her career in Bollywood.
The actress made her debut opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a controversial movie ‘Nishabd’ in March 2007. Jiah Khan played the role of a young girl who falls in love with her best friend’s father. Though the movie got mixed reviews for its bold content, actress Jiah Khan’s confident performance was praised. The actress even earned a nomination for Filmfare Best Debut award.
Later the actress starred in the movie ‘Ghajini’ with Aamir Khan and Asin. The actress was last seen in Sajid Khan’s ‘Housefull’ in 2010.