The state's forensic experts had said the injury marks on Jiah's lower lip were probably the result of "friction with the teeth during the commission of the act (suicide)". But Payne-James, the British expert claims that, the injuries "represent either abrasions or bruises", and are indicative of "blunt force trauma to the mouth region (for example punching or a hand placed over the mouth)".
He has questioned Indian investigators' failure to explore theories other than suicide. "I do not believe that the possibility of a staged hanging after death that has been caused previously has been properly considered.
The development comes over a month after the CBI told the Mumbai High Court that it had ruled out murder in the case. Jiah had been dating actor Aditya Pancholi's son, Sooraj Pancholi at the time of her death and Jiah's mother Rabia always insisted that her daughter did not commit suicide. Last year Sooraj was accused of abetment to suicide. After CBI ruled out murder, she hired a British private investigator to probe Jiah's death. It is to be seen if the Mumbai High Court will accept the findings of a private expert over the state's.