Jiah Khan and Sooraj Pancholi12 June, MUMBAI: Actress Jiah Khan’s mother told police that her daughter was in a “live-in relationship” for a year with boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi who was remanded in police custody till June 13 by a local court a day after being arrested for allegedly abetting her suicide.

Sooraj, son of actor-couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested on June 10 on the charge of abetting the suicide of the 25-year-old actress who hanged herself at her Juhu residence last Monday.

Sooraj was sent in police custody by the court after the prosecution said his interrogation was necessary following allegations of threat, assault and rape levelled against him by the actress in a note found three days after her suicide.

In a new twist to investigations, Jiah Khan’s mother Rabiya told police that the Nishabd actress and Sooraj were in “live-in relationship” for nearly a year, a senior police officer said.

“Rabiya also said Jiah was completely shattered when Sooraj sent her a ‘break-up’ bouquet. This was one of the reasons behind the young actress’ extreme step. Sooraj had promised to marry Jiah,” the officer said.

However, there was no evidence to link Sooraj’s actor-father Aditya to the case, the officer added.

Police are also verifying in which hospital the distraught actress had undergone abortion.

Though the note, purportedly written by Jiah Khan, mentioned the word ‘rape’, police are yet to take a decision on slapping the charge of sexual assault against the accused.

Meanwhile, Rabiya tweeted: “My daughter had bruises on her jaw. She was hit badly that pushed her to the end path. I wish I was there. How dare he (Sooraj) hit her!” (Agencies)