Indian actor Suraj Pancholi, boyfriend of the late Bollywood film actress Jiah Khan, sits inside a police vehicle on his way to a court in Mumbai today. (AFP/Getty Images)
The boyfriend of a New York-born Bollywood actress was arrested yesterday for allegedly playing a role in the starlet’s suicide, authorities said.
Jiah Khan’s mom found her body at the actress’ home in Mumbai last week. The Big Apple-born, London-raised actress allegedly left a suicide note.
Khan’s five-page letter, addressed to boyfriend Suraj Pancholi, accused him of making threats, rape, assault and forcing her to have an abortion, according to published reports in India.
Pancholi was arrested for allegedly “abetting the suicide” of his 25-year-old girlfriend, police said.
Pancholi himself has strong Bollywood ties,as the son of actor Aditya Pancholi and actress Zarina Wahab.
A judge ordered Pancholi to remain in police custody until his next court date on Thursday.
His defense lawyer argued the note left behind by Khan didn’t implicate Pancholi of wrongdoing, according to published reports from India.
The defense also trashed Khan, saying she was obsessive and possessive and couldn’t handle 21-year-old Pancholi’s refusal to commit to her.
The actress’ parents have released copies of the letter, painting the picture of an emotionally devastated woman. Khan allegedly wrote.
• “I have already lost everything. If you’re reading this, I might have already left or about to leave. I am broken inside.”
• “I don’t know why destiny brought us together. After all the pain, the rape, the abuse, the torture I have seen prevuously. I didn’t deserve this.”
• “I never told you, but I received a message about you. About you cheating on me. I chose to ignore it, decided to trust you. You embarrassed me.”
• “I aborted a baby when it hurt me deeply.”
• “All I want now is to go to sleep and never wake up again. I am nothing. I had everything.”