Sooraj Pancholi opens up on Jiah Khan death case, says 'I've been called a murderer, abuser'

Sooraj, who has been charged with abetting the suicide of his ex-girlfriend and actress Jiah Khan, has penned a lengthy post on his Instagram page.

Photo courtesy: Instagram

New Delhi: Actor Sooraj Pancholi, who turned 28 today, shared a lengthy-emotional post on his Instagram page on his birthday in which he has finally opened up about his late ex-girlfriend and actress Jiah Khan. 

The 'Hero' actor shared a picture of a hand holding two candles and addressed the six years long court case against him. He said that he waited all this while to comment on the abetment to suicide charge against him as he wanted to wait until the case ended. However, since the case has gone far longer than expected, he has finally decided to open about it on the social media.

The actor also thanked the people who stood by him in the tough time as he fought the case in courts. Read his full post here:

"Today I complete 28 years of my life. I want to take up this moment to share a few thoughts that have been in my heart for a while. I wanted to wait to speak out until the case ended, but it’s taken longer than expected. I don’t know where to start from. It is difficult to express some feelings when so many people, so many emotions are involved. First, I want to thank those who have stood by me like a pillar of strength. It has been a long journey that started when I was still trying to understand life. I have been fighting the case in court for the last 6 years, with patience and respect, waiting for the trial to be completed. In this process I have been called a murderer, a criminal, an abuser and so much worse. I read these things about me almost every single day. And my heartfelt effort has always been to be strong, respectful and ignore it. But they still fill my and my loved ones’ heart with so much sadness. I don’t blame the people who call me names, because that’s how i have been portrayed in public, but i’m not the monster that has been portrayed in headlines. I know how easy it is to think the worst of someone and accuse them but it is exceptionally hard to prove myself innocent as there’s a procedure that we need to follow. A procedure that has taken long enough that i have been made to feel guilty without even being given a fair chance to prove my innocence. There have been accusations and assumptions but there has been no validation. 
But, this is not about what others say. This is about how I feel. For as long as I can remember, my dream has always been to make my parents proud. I have always tried to be a good son to them. In the last 6 years, I’ve tried harder everyday to achieve this dream and to be positive. 
So today, I am praying with my heart that our family can move forward, that the trial can come to a fair end and that I can give back all the love, support and strength I have received from so many of you. 
Thank you to all of you who constantly send positivity my way. You may not know it, but every single one of your prayers has helped."

Actress Jiah Khan, who was seen in film like 'Nisabd' and 'Housefull', committed suicide at her Juhu flat by hanging herself in 2013. She left behind a suicide note in which, she without naming Sooraj, blamed him for ruining her life. After Jiah's mother approached the court, Sooraj was charged with abetement to suicide in 2017.