A day after model-actor Pratyusha Banerjee of television series Balika Vadhu fame was found dead in her house, her boyfriend, Rahul Raj Singh, was detained by the Bangur Nagar police at around 5 pm. He was let off at the time of going to press.
Speaking to The Asian Age, Rahul’s father Harshavardhan Singh alias Pandit Singh, who came from Ranchi after learning that Pratyusha had died, said that around two months ago when the family was celebrating the birth of Rahul's younger brother’s daughter, Rahul and Pratyusha visited the family. “Rahul introduced her to our family. Later, we matched their kundalis and gave a go-ahead for their marriage,” said Mr Singh.
Rahul’s father also asked Pratyusha why she had come by herself and not with her parents to talk about their marriage plans. “She said that her parents had taken away her money and that she was not going to inform them for the time being,” said Mr Singh. He added that Rahul was helping her financially and was in deep trauma since her death.
Immediately after the actress’ post-mortem on Saturday, Bangur Nagar police detained Rahul for questioning while also recording statements of Pratyusha’s mother, father and other relatives. According to police sources, as many as seven statements were recorded. Pratyusha’s parents did not say anything against Rahul, and refused any possibility of foul play in their daughter’s death.
Also read: Police questions Pratyusha’s boyfriend, says too early to ascertain cause of death
A police source, on condition of anonymity, told The Asian Age that Pratyusha’s HP samples were sent to JJ Hospital while her viscera and other samples were sent to FSL, Kalina, for testing. “There were no injuries or wounds on her; we just found ligature marks on both sides of her neck,” the source said, adding that the actress had a tattoo on her back with Rahul’s name inscribed.
According to police sources, provisional cause of the actress’ death is asphyxia as indicated by the ligature marks on her neck, but the final cause of her death will be known only after getting all test reports. A senior police officer told this newspaper that no financial transaction papers were found. “We are trying to find out the reason why she took such an extreme step,” he said.
Rahul’s lawyer, Niraj Gupta, said, “I had a word with Rahul and he is innocent. He never had any big fight with Pratyusha, so he should not be declared the culprit. Let the police investigate and see if any evidence is found against Rahul. He has nothing to do with Pratyusha’s suicide.”
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While Pratyusha’s parents did not make any allegations against Rahul in their statement to the police, neighbours and friends of the couple said they used to have regular fights. When this newspaper visited the couple’s housing society, her neighbour and television actor Anuj Sachdev said, “At about 12pm 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..
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…”
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Recalling the chain of events, a police official told this newspaper that Rahul first stepped out of the couple’s house at around 1.30pm on Friday and returned at about 2pm. Upon knocking on the door of the house, Pratyusha did not open it. A worried Rahul stepped out again to get a duplicate key maker and re-entered the building at 2.30pm along with the chabi-wallah who then made the duplicate key but did not succeed in opening the door. In the meantime, a cook of the neighbouring flat reached there and told Rahul that he would enter the couple’s house from behind. Upon entering their house, the cook found Pratyusha hanging. In his statement to the police, the cook said that when Rahul tried to pull down Pratyusha, he failed, after which, he took the chabi-wallah’s help to cut the rope from which she was hanging.
Later, when the police entered the couple’s house, they found liquor bottles, cigarette stains on the couch, food packets and two mobiles – one black and one white. Meanwhile, another source said that Pratyusha used to drink a lot and Rahul was upset about it which led to repeated fights between them. It is learnt that Rahul was a divorcee but Pratyusha never had any problem with that.
Asked why Rahul has been detained, a police official said that he ran away after taking Pratyusha to the hospital and on the advice of his lawyer kept his phone switched off.
