The body of actor Jiah Khan, which was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her Juhu flat here last year, might be exhumed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation if Indian authorities permit the American agency to assist the police in probe, advocate Dinesh Tiwari said on Monday. Jiah was an American citizen.
Earlier in the day, Jiah’s mother Rabia Khan and Mr Tiwari met Rosemary Macray, chief of the American Citizens Services Unit. “The U.S. authorities had already written to the Government of India and the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking permission for the FBI’s involvement in the probe. We were assured today that a reminder would be sent to them,” Mr Tiwari said.
The lawyer said the FBI had offered help, especially with forensic analysis. “If the FBI is granted permission to assist the probe, they may exhume the body, since we have always maintained that more evidence can be found that way.”
Ms Khan had previously made an application before a city court. “But the magisterial court said it does not have the power to grant permission for exhuming the body,” Mr Tiwari said.
Police sources said on Monday that since the Mumbai police are the nodal agency, they have received a letter through the CBI from the FBI offering help in the investigation. “We will ask the local police who are investigating the case for their opinion and send a reply,” an official said.
