Jiah Khan suicide case: Sooraj Pancholi approaches Bombay HC seeking passport to travel abroad

Bollywood actor Sooraj Pancholi has approached the Bombay high court seeking the return of his passport to enable him to travel abroad on work.

Justice Mridula Bhatkar issued notice to the CBI, that is probing the case against Sooraj for allegedly abetting actor Jiah Khan's suicide, asking them to respond to the plea. The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on Wednesday.

Sooraj said that he was required to travel abroad for his professional assignments and needed his passport which was deposited with the investigation agency as part of the conditions for his release on bail. The actor said that he would return the passport to the authorities on his return.

Jiah was found hanging from the ceiling of her residence on June 3, 2013 and her boyfriend Sooraj was charged with driving her to commit suicide. The HC had transferred the case to the CBI after Rabia approached the court claiming her daughter was murdered.

In December 2015, the CBI filed a charge sheet against Sooraj for abetting Jiah's suicide. Another bench of the HC is hearing a plea by Jiah's mother Rabia Khan, who has claimed that her daughter was murdered and the CBI had failed to properly investigate the case. She has sought the court's orders to the state to appoint a special investigation team to further probe the case.