Boyfriend Rahul booked for 'abetting' Pratyusha Banerjee suicide, assault

Mumbai: Three days after model-actor Pratyusha Banerjee of television series ‘Balika Vadhu’ fame was found dead in her house, police has filed abetment of suicide and assault case against her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh, based on statements made by her family and friends.

On Saturday, Rahul was detained for a few hours and was quizzed about his and Pratyusha's incomes, their investments and expenses, previous relationships that the two had and allegations of assault.

At the time of Pratyusha’s autopsy, Rahul told the media, “We never had any serious fight. We were happy and planning to get married soon. I used to love her so much and I don't know why she took such a step. She was upset about her career but I tried to calm her down every time. This time too, I tried to save her but in vain…”

On Sunday, he was hospitalised after he complained of breathing problems before he was to face a second day of questioning by police over her death. His lawyer Neeraj Gupta had said, "Rahul has been admitted to ICU. His condition is very fragile. He hasn’t eaten. He is in a state of depression after Pratyusha’s death. The doctors say if this continues, he will have brain haemorrhage."

According to reports, Pratyusha took this drastic step due to mounting financial pressures over the last year. According to Rahul’s father, Hashvardhan Singh, Pratyusha was under severe mental pressure because she did not have enough money left to sustain her expenses, and that her parents had used her name to take a loan of Rs 50 lakh, due to which she was being hassled by creditors.

On the other hand, Pratyusha’s friends claim that Rahul was cheating on her with his ex-girlfriend. According to reports, Rahul’s ex-girlfriend had assaulted Pratyusha on several occasions in Rahul’s absence. But when Pratyusha complained to him, he took no action. He has even physically assaulted her in public.

When this newspaper visited the couple’s housing society, her neighbour and television actor Anuj Sachdev said, “At about 12 pm when I was standing next to her flat, waiting for the lift, I heard her crying. However, as I am not very familiar with her, I felt it was not right to interfere in their personal matter. I don’t know about any fight but they never looked like a happy couple.”

Other residents said that the couple used to fight often and just two days ago, they had a big fight when Rahul banged Pratyusha’s head on the mirror. Earlier, about two months ago, the couple had one of their worst fights when Rahul’s ex-girlfriend barged into their house.

Sources told this newspaper that even the society guards knew about the couple’s fights that often inconvenienced other residents to the extent that the society secretary had directed the landlord to order the couple to vacate the house. One of the security guards, requesting anonymity, said that Pratyusha used to often appear upset while Rahul appeared angry.

Even Pratyusha’s mother Soma Banerjee balmed Rahul for her death. She had said, "Rahul is definitely responsible for my daughter’s death because she was unhappy and upset in the relationship.”

Pratyusha was best known for her debut role in Balika Vadhu. Thereafter, she shifted to reality shows and participated in Bigg Boss 7. Pratyusha’s last outing on TV was in Sasural Simar Ka where she played a role that had negative shades.

The past few months had been controversial for Pratyusha as she accused eight men of posing as cops and molesting her. Moreover, her boyfriend and she also faced flak for non-payment of dues after her birthday party at a plush suburban venue.