On April 28, the special CBI court acquitted Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi, who had been charged with abetting actress Jiah Khan's suicide. The Ghajini actress was found dead at her Juhu home on 3 June 2013. Sooraj was facing a charge under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code because of a letter seized from the actress' apartment on June 10. Here's a timeline of the events that occurred.

The Jiah khan death case: A timeline of events

The&nbsp;verdict is out on a suicide case that rocked India's Bollywood film industry to&nbsp;its core.&nbsp;The high-profile case involved the death of a budding actress, Jiah Khan, and brought to the limelight her ex-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi, who was accused of abetment to suicide.

A decade has passed, but the case and Jiah Khan's death remain one of the most talked-about topics in the industry. A lot of ups and downs were witnessed in the case and finally, the special CBI court acquitted Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi.

On Friday (April 28), Pancholi was set free by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) court, citing lack of evidence. "Due to paucity of evidence, this court can't hold you (Sooraj Pancholi) guilty, hence acquitted," said Judge AS Sayyed of the special CBI court in Mumbai. Rabia Khan, Jia's mother, has vowed to appeal in the high court.

Who was Jiah Khan? 
 
Born Nafisa Khan, Jiah was a known face of the Bollywood industry. Brought up in London, she made her acting debut in 2007 with Ram Gopal Verma's film Nishabd co-starring Amitabh Bachchan. For her phenomenal performance, Jiah bagged a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She later went on to star in several big-budget films, like Aamir Khan's Ghajini and Akshay Kumar's Housefull.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="jia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59a50da7-4eda-4dea-b414-db7752439bec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_27.png" />

Jiah Khan's suicide -

While everything seemed fine in her professional life, her personal life was in turmoil. The actress was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. The 25-year-old was found hanging in her bedroom.&nbsp; 
 
While investigating, a six-page letter purportedly written by Jiah was seized by the police. The hand-written letter revealed inside details about her turbulent relationship with Suraj Pancholi. At the same time, Jiah's mother also accused the Hero actor of her daughter’s death.

Suicide letter&nbsp; 

The handwritten letter that was recovered from Jiah's house revealed many shocking details about her relationship with her then-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi. In the letter, Jiah accused Sooraj of assaulting her everyday, and claimed she got pregnant several times but every time he had forced her to abort the child.&nbsp;

The letter reads: ''These days I see no light I wake up not wanting to wake up. There was a time I saw my life with you, a future with you. But you shattered my dreams. I feel dead inside. I've never given so much of myself to someone or cared so much. You returned my love with cheating and lies. It didn't matter how many gifts I gave you or how beautiful I looked for you. I was scared of getting pregnant but I gave myself completely the pain you have caused me every day has destroyed every bit of me, destroyed my soul. I can't eat or sleep or think or function. I am running away from everything. The career is not even worth it anymore.'' 
 
Below is the timeline of the key events that followed:

June 10, 2013: On the basis of the suicide note, Sooraj Pancholi, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested under Section 306 (abetment to suicide). However, the autopsy report revealed that the cause of her death was identified as hanging, and no foul play was found.&nbsp;

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July 2, 2013: After 22 days, Sooraj was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on a bond of Rs 50,000.

October 2013: Alleging that her daughter had been murdered, Rabia moved the Bombay High Court, asking for a CBI probe into the case.&nbsp;

July 3, 2014: After months, the Bombay High Court finally accepted Rabia's plea and transferred the case to the CBI from the Mumbai Police.&nbsp;

Later, Aditya Pancholi, the father of Sooraj, filed a Rs 100 crore (1 billion) defamation case against Rabia.

August 2014: The CBI registered a formal case to investigate the death of the Bollywood actress.

May 2015: Sooraj Pancholi's residence was raided by the CBI in connection with the case.

December 2015: On the basis of Jia's letter, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Sooraj Pancholi.

August 2016: The CBI ruled out any foul play and confirmed that Jiah died by suicide by hanging herself. However, within a month, Rabia brought a British forensic expert, Jason Payne-James, who claimed that Jiah's death was "staged".

<img alt="jia mother" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="20b3cdcc-2b10-4d3e-95a2-80b6e1af75fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_19.png" />

February 2017: The court dismissed Rabia's request for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Jiah's death.

2018: The special CBI court rejected the plea for further investigation against Sooraj in the Jiah Khan suicide abetment case.

2021: The case was transferred to a CBI special court after the sessions court claimed that it doesn't have jurisdiction after the CBI probe.

2022: Jiah's mother filed a new petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a fresh investigation of the case, which was dismissed by the court.&nbsp;

April 20, 2023: A Special CBI Court Judge, AS Sayyad, heard the final arguments of both sides and reserved his judgement in the much-publicised case.&nbsp;

In his final statement, Sooraj Pancholi claimed the investigation and chargesheet were false, adding that the prosecution witnesses testified against him at the behest of complainant Rabiya Khan, the police and CBI.

April 28, 2023: The special CBI court acquitted Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi due to lack of evidence.

After the big judgement, Rabia Khan said that she will move to High Court now. "The charge of abetment to suicide has gone. But how did my child die? This is a case of murder…will approach the High Court," she said.

The verdict is out on a suicide case that rocked India's Bollywood film industry to its core. The high-profile case involved the death of a budding actress, Jiah Khan, and brought to the limelight her ex-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi, who was accused of abetment to suicide.

The verdict is out on a suicide case that rocked India's Bollywood film industry to its core. The high-profile case involved the death of a budding actress, Jiah Khan, and brought to the limelight her ex-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi, who was accused of abetment to suicide. A decade has passed, but the case and Jiah Khan's death remain one of the most talked-about topics in the industry. A lot of ups and downs were witnessed in the case and finally, the special CBI court acquitted Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi. On Friday (April 28), Pancholi was set free by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) court, citing lack of evidence. "Due to paucity of evidence, this court can't hold you (Sooraj Pancholi) guilty, hence acquitted," said Judge AS Sayyed of the special CBI court in Mumbai. Rabia Khan, Jia's mother, has vowed to appeal in the high court. Who was Jiah Khan? Born Nafisa Khan, Jiah was a known face of the Bollywood industry. Brought up in London, she made her acting debut in 2007 with Ram Gopal Verma's film Nishabd co-starring Amitabh Bachchan. For her phenomenal performance, Jiah bagged a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She later went on to star in several big-budget films, like Aamir Khan's Ghajini and Akshay Kumar's Housefull. Jiah Khan's suicide - While everything seemed fine in her professional life, her personal life was in turmoil. The actress was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. The 25-year-old was found hanging in her bedroom. While investigating, a six-page letter purportedly written by Jiah was seized by the police. The hand-written letter revealed inside details about her turbulent relationship with Suraj Pancholi. At the same time, Jiah's mother also accused the Hero actor of her daughter’s death. Suicide letter The handwritten letter that was recovered from Jiah's house revealed many shocking details about her relationship with her then-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi. In the letter, Jiah accused Sooraj of assaulting her everyday, and claimed she got pregnant several times but every time he had forced her to abort the child. The letter reads: ''These days I see no light I wake up not wanting to wake up. There was a time I saw my life with you, a future with you. But you shattered my dreams. I feel dead inside. I've never given so much of myself to someone or cared so much. You returned my love with cheating and lies. It didn't matter how many gifts I gave you or how beautiful I looked for you. I was scared of getting pregnant but I gave myself completely the pain you have caused me every day has destroyed every bit of me, destroyed my soul. I can't eat or sleep or think or function. I am running away from everything. The career is not even worth it anymore.'' Below is the timeline of the key events that followed: June 10, 2013: On the basis of the suicide note, Sooraj Pancholi, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested under Section 306 (abetment to suicide). However, the autopsy report revealed that the cause of her death was identified as hanging, and no foul play was found. July 2, 2013: After 22 days, Sooraj was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on a bond of Rs 50,000. October 2013: Alleging that her daughter had been murdered, Rabia moved the Bombay High Court, asking for a CBI probe into the case. July 3, 2014: After months, the Bombay High Court finally accepted Rabia's plea and transferred the case to the CBI from the Mumbai Police. Later, Aditya Pancholi, the father of Sooraj, filed a Rs 100 crore (1 billion) defamation case against Rabia. August 2014: The CBI registered a formal case to investigate the death of the Bollywood actress. May 2015: Sooraj Pancholi's residence was raided by the CBI in connection with the case. December 2015: On the basis of Jia's letter, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Sooraj Pancholi. August 2016: The CBI ruled out any foul play and confirmed that Jiah died by suicide by hanging herself. However, within a month, Rabia brought a British forensic expert, Jason Payne-James, who claimed that Jiah's death was "staged". February 2017: The court dismissed Rabia's request for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Jiah's death. 2018: The special CBI court rejected the plea for further investigation against Sooraj in the Jiah Khan suicide abetment case. 2021: The case was transferred to a CBI special court after the sessions court claimed that it doesn't have jurisdiction after the CBI probe. 2022: Jiah's mother filed a new petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a fresh investigation of the case, which was dismissed by the court. April 20, 2023: A Special CBI Court Judge, AS Sayyad, heard the final arguments of both sides and reserved his judgement in the much-publicised case. In his final statement, Sooraj Pancholi claimed the investigation and chargesheet were false, adding that the prosecution witnesses testified against him at the behest of complainant Rabiya Khan, the police and CBI. April 28, 2023: The special CBI court acquitted Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi due to lack of evidence. After the big judgement, Rabia Khan said that she will move to High Court now. "The charge of abetment to suicide has gone. But how did my child die? This is a case of murder…will approach the High Court," she said.

Jiah Khan suicide case: Sooraj Pancholi found 'not guilty'. Timeline of key events

After Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted of all charges related to the abetment of actor Jiah Khan's suicide in 2013, he celebrated through an Instagram story. "The Truth always wins! #GodIsGreat," he wrote. Earlier, Judge AS Sayyed of the special CBI court in Mumbai said in his judgment, "Due to paucity of evidence, this court can't hold you (Sooraj Pancholi) guilty, hence acquitted." Khan was a 25-year-old English-American actress who was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. Her death was initially deemed to be a suicide, but her mother, Rabiya Khan, has claimed that Jiah had been in a tumultuous relationship with Pancholi and that he had somehow been involved in her death.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-jiah-khan-death-case-verdict-out-sooraj-pancholi-acquitted-of-suicide-abetment-charges-586917">Jiah Khan death case verdict out! Sooraj Pancholi acquitted of suicide abetment charges</a>

Following the verdict, Jiah's mother Rabia Khan spoke to the media and stated that the charge of abetment may have been cleared, but the case of murder is still pending. She expressed her determination to keep fighting for justice for her daughter and stated that she would approach the High Court and Supreme Court if necessary. Sooraj Pancholi was arrested in connection with the case but was later released on bail.

A few months after her death, Khan's had family found a six-page handwritten letter addressed to her boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi at the actress's residence, indicating her intention to end her life. The letter also reportedly mentioned a recent abortion.&nbsp;

Who was Jiah Khan?

Khan was born on February 20, 1988, in New York City, United States, and grew up in London, United Kingdom. Her birth name was Nafisa Rizvi Khan. She made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the film Nishabd, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. She went on to act in films like Ghajini and Housefull.

&nbsp;She was considered a rising star in Bollywood and had a promising career ahead of her. But unfortunately it was not to be.

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After Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted of all charges related to the abetment of actor Jiah Khan's suicide in 2013, he celebrated through an Instagram story. "The Truth always wins!

After Sooraj Pancholi was acquitted of all charges related to the abetment of actor Jiah Khan's suicide in 2013, he celebrated through an Instagram story. "The Truth always wins! #GodIsGreat," he wrote. Earlier, Judge AS Sayyed of the special CBI court in Mumbai said in his judgment, "Due to paucity of evidence, this court can't hold you (Sooraj Pancholi) guilty, hence acquitted." Khan was a 25-year-old English-American actress who was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. Her death was initially deemed to be a suicide, but her mother, Rabiya Khan, has claimed that Jiah had been in a tumultuous relationship with Pancholi and that he had somehow been involved in her death. Also Read: Jiah Khan death case verdict out! Sooraj Pancholi acquitted of suicide abetment charges Following the verdict, Jiah's mother Rabia Khan spoke to the media and stated that the charge of abetment may have been cleared, but the case of murder is still pending. She expressed her determination to keep fighting for justice for her daughter and stated that she would approach the High Court and Supreme Court if necessary. Sooraj Pancholi was arrested in connection with the case but was later released on bail. A few months after her death, Khan's had family found a six-page handwritten letter addressed to her boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi at the actress's residence, indicating her intention to end her life. The letter also reportedly mentioned a recent abortion. Who was Jiah Khan? Khan was born on February 20, 1988, in New York City, United States, and grew up in London, United Kingdom. Her birth name was Nafisa Rizvi Khan. She made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the film Nishabd, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. She went on to act in films like Ghajini and Housefull. She was considered a rising star in Bollywood and had a promising career ahead of her. But unfortunately it was not to be. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Truth always wins': Sooraj Pancholi celebrates after acquittal in Jiah Khan case

A sessions court here today framed charges against Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi for allegedly abetting actress Jiah Khan&#39;s suicide.

Judge K D Shirbhate framed charges against the 27-year- old actor under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code, to which he pleaded not guilty. 
&quot;Sooraj pleaded innocence and the examination of witnesses will start from February 14,&quot; his lawyer Prashant Patil said.

According to the chargesheet, Jiah Khan, best known for her performance in film &#39;Nishabd&#39; starring Amitabh Bachchan, was found hanging at her residence on June 3, 2013 by her mother Rabiya. She had left the house of Sooraj Pancholi, where she had been staying for the last two days, in the morning the same day, it said.

According to the CBI, Pancholi had &quot;hidden facts and fabricated information&quot; during questioning.

Sooraj Pancholi, the son of Bollywood couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, had refused to undergo polygraph or brain-mapping tests which the agency wanted to conduct to get to the bottom of his alleged role in the incident.

The CBI said a three-page note seized by the Mumbai Police, which earlier probed the case, on June 10, 2013, was written by Khan which narrated her &quot;intimate relationship, physical abuse and mental and physical torture&quot; allegedly at the hands of Pancholi which led her to commit suicide.

It said the letter was not signed and even not addressed to Sooraj Pancholi but it incriminated him.

In October 2013, Rabiya Khan had moved the Bombay High Court alleging that her daughter had been murdered and sought a CBI probe, which was granted.

According to the CBI, Pancholi had "hidden facts and fabricated information" during questioning.

A sessions court here today framed charges against Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi for allegedly abetting actress Jiah Khan's suicide. Judge K D Shirbhate framed charges against the 27-year- old actor under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code, to which he pleaded not guilty. "Sooraj pleaded innocence and the examination of witnesses will start from February 14," his lawyer Prashant Patil said. According to the chargesheet, Jiah Khan, best known for her performance in film 'Nishabd' starring Amitabh Bachchan, was found hanging at her residence on June 3, 2013 by her mother Rabiya. She had left the house of Sooraj Pancholi, where she had been staying for the last two days, in the morning the same day, it said. According to the CBI, Pancholi had "hidden facts and fabricated information" during questioning. Sooraj Pancholi, the son of Bollywood couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, had refused to undergo polygraph or brain-mapping tests which the agency wanted to conduct to get to the bottom of his alleged role in the incident. The CBI said a three-page note seized by the Mumbai Police, which earlier probed the case, on June 10, 2013, was written by Khan which narrated her "intimate relationship, physical abuse and mental and physical torture" allegedly at the hands of Pancholi which led her to commit suicide. It said the letter was not signed and even not addressed to Sooraj Pancholi but it incriminated him. In October 2013, Rabiya Khan had moved the Bombay High Court alleging that her daughter had been murdered and sought a CBI probe, which was granted.

Sooraj Pancholi charged with 'abetment to suicide' in Jiah Khan death case

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The Jiah khan death case: A timeline of events

Jiah Khan suicide case: Sooraj Pancholi found 'not guilty'. Timeline of key events

'Truth always wins': Sooraj Pancholi celebrates after acquittal in Jiah Khan case

Sooraj Pancholi charged with 'abetment to suicide' in Jiah Khan death case