Tirupati: Model attempts suicide in prison

TIRUPATI: Air hostess-turned-model Sangeeta Chatterjee, who was arrested for her involvement in the smuggling of red sanders, attempted suicide at a sub-jail in Chittoor on Thursday. Sangeeta had allegedly carried out online financial transactions to the tune of over Rs 10 crore on behalf of notorious smuggler Lakshmanan. She has been named as one of the accused in three cases, and has been granted bail for two. She has been trying to secure bail on the third case.

Depressed at the thought of not being granted bail, Sangeeta attempted suicide by consuming toilet cleaning liquid. Jail authorities rushed her to the Chittoor Government Hospital and later to the Ruia Hospital  where she was stated to be out of danger. Speaking to mediapersons in Chittoor, Sangeeta said she was unwell, and was not able to stay in jail. “I am worried about the bail,” she said.

She was presented before a judge through a video conference on Wednesday. An official from the jail said, “She expected bail on Wednesday, but she didn't get it. She is depressed because no one comes to meet her. She is from Bengal, and her mother met her only twice in six months.” Sangeeta was arrested in Kolkata in May last year by the Chittoor Task Force police. Six bank accounts and two bank lockers were seized from her possession. The police recovered documents for three flats, as well as 2.15 kg of gold and 1 kg of silver worth Rs 3 crore from her bank lockers in June last year. They also seized nine mobile phones and a laptop.