The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the CBI to hand over the passport of actor Sooraj Pancholi back to him. He gets the passport on the condition that he will produce it as and when required by the trial court. Pancholi is accused of abetting the suicide of his girlfriend and actor Jiah Khan.
Justice Mridula Bhatkar allowed the petition filed by Pancholi seeking the return of his passport. It was seized by the investigating agency as per the high court order of 1 July 2013 while granting him bail.
The court had earlier questioned the opposition made by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stating that “The accused is before a trial court and if he wants he can take prior permission from the court but where is the provision of confiscating the passport in a case like this.” Pancholi is alleged to have abetted the suicide of his girl friend actress Jiah Khan. He is charged under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code and his trial is presently stayed.
Advocate Hiten Vengaonkar appearing for the CBI argued that the complainant—deceased mother Rabia Khan has petitioned in the high court seeking investigation in regards to homicide which is pending for further hearing. Jiah had allegedly committed suicide on June 3, 2013 after hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her house. Pancholi was arrested for abetting her suicide on June 10, 2013 but released on July 2 after the HC granted him bail. Surrendering his passport to the investigating agency was one of the restrictions imposed while granting bail.
Jiah’s mother petitioned the high court seeking probe by an independent agency with supervision of the court and alleged that Jiah was murdered by Sooraj. Following this, the high court in July 2014 transferred probe in the case to CBI. The apex agency after investigation submitted its charge sheet before the trial court and charged Sooraj for abetment of the suicide.
Following which she again moved the court asking for a probe by Special Investigating Team, which would be assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to probe, the alleged angle of homicide. The court on hearing the petition has stayed the trial against Pancholi.
