Arguments on framing charges against Suraj Pancholi from February 12

A special women’s court will start hearing arguments from February 12 on framing of charges against actor Suraj Pancholi, who has been accused of abetting the suicide of model-actor Jiah Khan. “The matter is kept for hearing (the arguments) on the charge (against Suraj Pancholi) on February 12,” said judge AS Shende on Monday.

When special public prosecutor Dinesh Tiwari sought time to go through the chargesheet, the judge reprimanded him and said he was prolonging the case. “Already more than one month was given to you so that you come prepared. But you are still seeking adjournment. This is not the way prosecution seeks adjournment. How long will you prolong (the case)?,” the judge said.

Later, the court directed Tiwari to submit an application for seeking adjournment.

Sooraj, 25, who is the son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was present in the court during the hearing.

The actor, who has recently made his debut in Bollywood, has been charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with abetting the suicide of Jiah Khan, whom he met through Facebook in September 2012 and the friendship blossomed into “intimate relationship”. Jiah was found hanging in her house on June 3, 2013, by her mother.