I was acquitted: Sooraj Pancholi counters 'unanswered' claims in Jiah Khan case
Actor Sooraj Pancholi has objected to reports calling the Jiah Khan case unanswered after his acquittal. He said misleading coverage ignores the court verdict and revives years of personal trauma.
Actor Sooraj Pancholi has issued a strong statement on Instagram, calling out media reports that continue to describe the Jiah Khan death case as "unanswered." Rejecting the narrative after his legal acquittal, Pancholi posted, "Unanswered? A 14-Year court trial says otherwise," while urging outlets to report facts accurately.
Addressing media platforms directly through his Instagram handle, the actor asserted that the case was decided strictly on facts, evidence, and law. "I was acquitted, and there are no 'unanswered questions' from the legal proceedings (sic)," he wrote, highlighting that all court records are publicly available for anyone who wants to understand the facts before forming an opinion.
Reflecting on the personal toll of the trial, Pancholi recalled being just 20 years old when the incident happened. "I lived under the weight of a trial that consumed my twenties and a large part of my thirties (sic)," he shared, adding, "If, even after that, people still choose to judge me and hold me guilty, I honestly don't know what more I can do (sic)."
The actor also explained why he chose to remain silent for years. He said, "Out of respect, I have never spoken publicly about the personal traumas she shared with me... I chose to protect her privacy despite everything I have been through (sic)."
Concluding his post, Pancholi appealed to the media for honesty, sensitivity, and professionalism, emphasising that every careless headline reopens a chapter he spent years trying to survive.
For context, Jiah Khan was found dead in her Mumbai home in June 2013, leading to Pancholi's arrest on abetment of suicide charges. In April 2023, a special CBI court acquitted him of all charges, while the Bombay High Court dismissed petitions filed by Jiah’s mother seeking a fresh probe.
Jiah Khan is best remembered for her debut in Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd, featuring actor Amitabh Bachchan.
On the work front, Sooraj's last theatrical release was director Prince Dhiman's period drama Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath.