The time is now. Since Friday am, there have been no longer any paparazzi or journalists outside his home. As soon as we arrive at Sooraj Pancholi’s home, he greets us while wearing just a plain black T-shirt and jeans. He sighs when we tell him that he is now free after his April 28 acquittal on charges of aiding actress Jiah Khan’s death.
Actor Sooraj Pancholi was cleared of helping the late actress Jiah Khan commit herself.
The house has a peaceful appearance. We begin to learn a little bit about the events that occurred in this 32-year-old man’s life over the previous ten years. He states, “I’m exhausted. One wonders if he’s talking about just that day or earlier years:
The special CBI court found you not guilty in the suicide case of Jiah. What emotion does the term “free” evoke in you?
I’m still having trouble accepting the fact that I no longer need to appear in court. My entire 20s were spent in court. I’m currently 32 years old. I was 21 years old when I took on this case. I spent all 20 of my years in court. Even today in court, perhaps it was different for some people (we spoke to Pancholi on the day of the judgement). Due to my weekly court appearances, I was experiencing the same things. I’m still processing the idea that I won my freedom with a lot of struggle. Both my tolerance and bravery have been greatly tested.
In its ruling, the court stated that you “tried to help her (Jiah) out of depression.” How did you support this step and what was it?
Jia’s dark moments were spent alone, just me. Currently, her family is seeking justice, but what kind of justice are they talking about since they abandoned their daughter when she most needed them? I let Jia’s family know that she was experiencing depression at the time, and I did everything I could to help her. However, let me reiterate that I was only 20 years old. Even though I couldn’t even care for myself, I did my best to look after Jia, who was a few years older than me. In the end, he needed his family’s support more than he needed me. The unfortunate fact is that Jiah’s mother only appeared in her family’s lives when she needed financial assistance, and this was also disclosed in court today.
The absence of proof led to the decision being made.
That is the formal term for solicitors and judges. There is neither a lack of evidence nor any evidence at all. There is no proof that I’m guilty. It is still debatable because of the absence.
Ten years is a long period of time. How did the last ten years treat you?
It has been very challenging. I didn’t want to discuss it with my family, so I felt really alone. They were already going through a lot because of me. And I don’t really talk to anyone but my family. This bothered me a lot. It is quite simple to make accusations against somebody, but the only person who truly understands what it takes to prove their innocence is the one who is being accused.
Did the impression this case gave you cause you to lose your job?
Because of this presumption, a lot. Cricketers and actors both require a positive public image. I was only 20 years old when I was turned into this “evil monster.” Since there was no investigation, research, or evidence in the virtual media trial I was in, I had no control over it. My trial was a media trial throughout. Everything was a rumour. It took ten years and made things worse.
