Sooraj Pancholi's family -dad Aditya, mom Zarina Wahab and sister Sana - on Wednesday moved the Bombay High Court against Rabia Khan, late actress Jiah Khan's mother. The Pancholis filed a Contempt petition, seeking to restrain Rabia from mak ing defamatory remarks against them on social and other mass media. BT is in possession of a copy of the said petition.

The matter was up for hearing on Thursday (December 22), but couldn't be heard during the business hours. It's expected to be taken up when the court reopens after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Advocate Prashant Patil, who represents the Pancholis, says, “The Rs 100-crore defamation suit was filed a couple of years ago. Rabia had given her word to the court, through her counsel, that she will not use any defamatory language on any social media or print media platforms and hence, the notice of motion was disposed off in favour of the Pancholis. But her interviews and tweets haven't quite stopped. In fact, they were found to be quite defamatory, which compelled the Pancholis to file a Contempt of Court petition a few weeks ago. Looking at the sensitivity of the matter, we were provided a production date when we asked for it on Wednesday (December 21, 2016). The proceedings couldn't happen on Thursday, but will happen as soon as the court reopens in January 2017. We are seeking relief against her. Rabia must publicly apologise for this, if found guilty by the court. Our stand is simple: whatever the verdict in the entire matter, one must have faith in the law. No one has the right to defame the other. Unlawful language is not permissible, whatever the merits of the case.“

On the other hand, Advocate Swapnil Ambure, Rabia's lawyer, says, “There is no substance in their (Pancholis') petition. The lady has only been seeking fair investigation in the matter. And, they have not been able to show what the defamatory material is. As per us, this is nothing but a way of deviating from the main matter.“

Jiah was found hanging in her Mumbai home on June 3, 2013. In December 2015, the CBI had charged Sooraj with abetting Jiah's suicide.