Mumbai police have detained Pratyusha Banerjee's boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh in connection with the alleged suicide of the popular Indian television actress.
Banerjee, known for her worked in popular prime time TV serial "Balika Badhu," was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai's Kandivali Friday night. Police said that the actress was found hanging from a ceiling fan, adding that a suicide note was not found in Pratyusha's apartment.
"We used to stay in a 2 bedroom flat. We had two keys; one key was with Pratyusha and the other was with me. When I entered the bedroom, I found Pratyusha hanging from the ceiling. I got very scared. Immediately, I called the neighbours and with their help, I took her to Kokilaben Hospital. We assumed that she was alive, but she was not. I got so scared that I did not inform the police. It was the hospital authorities who informed them. After the doctor's declaration, I called up Pratyusha's family members and few of our close friends," Singh said in his first statement to the police.
The 24-year-old actress' parents and friends believe that she was murdered, and they blamed Singh for her death. "We won't spare Rahul. My daughter was a good, happy soul, but he used to torture her. I can't believe that she could take such an extreme step. He forced her to end her life. Rahul may have run away, but once I reach Mumbai, I will hunt him down and he will have to pay heavily for this. He ruined my daughter's life," deceased actress' father said.
"I know Pratyusha.She is not such a weak person. She cannot commit suicide. This is a case of murder. I am not sure, but what is appearing from now, I think her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh is responsible for the murder," her friend Ajaz Khan said.
Media reports suggest that Banerjee was facing trouble in her personal life, which would have propelled her to take the extreme step. She has worked in TV serials "Sasural Simar Ka," "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya" and "Savdhaan India." She also appeared in Salman Khan's celebrity reality show "Bigg Boss 7" and reality dance show "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 5."
Several Indian celebrities were quite shocked by Pratyusha's death and are expressing their grief on Twitter. Read some of the tweets here.
This is just so sad...and a wake up calm to families and friends who don't consider depression a medical condition...RIP #PratyushaBanerjee
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 1, 2016
Deeply saddened by the news about #PratyushaBanerjee. May God give her family the strength to deal with this loss. भगवान आत्मा को शान्ति दे। — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 1, 2016
RIP #PratyushaBanerjee pray for her parents,cant imagine what the mother must b going thru!make no mistake guys suicide is never the answer — Nora Fatehi (@Norafatehi) April 2, 2016
Speechless n filled with so much of sadness! A innocent soul gone wrong, why!
