Jiah Khan case: Rabiya Khan files court petition over daughter's autopsy report

MiD DAY had carried a report on the unsettling discovery of blood and human tissue in Jiah Khan's nails during the post mortem (‘Was it suicide? Blood, human tissue in Jiah's nails raise doubts', November 9)

The petition that was filed yesterday raises serious doubts over the manner in which the police have investigated the case, taking no action after the post mortem report pointed out the possibility of murder. Rabiya's lawyer Dinesh Tiwari said, "The petition has been filed and the court has sent a notice to Juhu police asking them to file a reply in the matter before the next date of hearing, which is November 19. He added, "We are considering all legal options to collect the best possible evidence and nail the accused. We are hopeful that post exhumation, more clinching evidence will come up."

The applicant, apart from demanding exhumation of the body, a fingerprint report, and forensic report of the bloodstains, has also asked for a videograph of the postmortem conducted on Jiah's body at the JJ Postmortem Centre. The petition mentions that due to the heavy rains and resultant moisture content in soil, chances of her body having decomposed completely are slim, and more clues could be unearthed if the body is exhumed.

"Also, the forensic science report on the bloodstain would help us ascertain who the blood belongs to," explained Tiwari, adding that the postmortem video is necessary for the collection of forensic evidence that may have been overlooked by the panel of forensic experts at JJ Postmortem Centre.

Tiwari added that the fingerprints on the fan also have to be examined, and could be the key to determining if her death was a case of suicide or murder.

Questions have also been raised over how the 5.5 ft-tall Jiah could reach the ceiling fan, which was at a height of 8.5 feet, without using a stool. How did she loop a dupatta around the fan from the floor?

Senior PI Arun Bhagat of Juhu police station said, "At this stage, all I can say is that the investigation is on and I cannot share any further information."

The case
June 3: Jiah Khan was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her first floor apartment in Sagar Sangeet building.
June 4: An autopsy is conducted at the JJ Postmortem Centre
June 6: Samples sent to the Forensics Science Laboratory (FSL) in Kalina.
June 11: The police arrested Jiah's boyfriend Suraj Pancholi for abetment to suicide under section 306 of the IPC.
August 16: The FSL submitted its report to the police September: Rabiya Khan filed a criminal writ petition in High Court demanding a CBI probe in the case.
October 29: The family received a copy of the FSL report. The Bombay HC directed the police to re-probe the case on the lines suggested by Rabiya.
November 13: Fresh petition filed in court on by Rabiya Khan u00a0