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Did Rahul Raj Singh drive Pratyusha Banerjee to take her own life?

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Moeena Halim
Moeena HalimApr 05, 2016 | 19:59

Did Rahul Raj Singh drive Pratyusha Banerjee to take her own life?

Rahul Raj Singh, a television producer who has preferred to stay behind the camera, has now found himself flung into the harsh realm of news bulletins. Three days ago, his girlfriend Pratyusha Banerjee, a household name after her appearance as Anandi on popular show Balika Vadhu, committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her home in Mumbai.

Singh, who was hospitalised after he complained of chest pains on Sunday, has now been booked on charges of abetment of suicide, assault and intimidation after an FIR was filed by Banerjee’s mother.

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It was through social media that the gruesome news of Banerjee’s suicide first spread, leaving most of her friends hoping it was a nasty April Fool’s joke.

Banerjee seems to have left no suicide note and with speculations of her being stressed and suffering from depression because of professional reasons finding no footing, suspicion turned to Singh and their volatile relationship.

Neighbours and a security guard have claimed that the duo would fight each time a certain "other girl" visited. Banerjee’s friends, Kamya Punjabi and Vikas Gupta, have also claimed that Singh had been cheating on her.

But reports say that the duo were due to get married on April 14, the Bengali New Year.

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Rahul Raj Singh and Pratyusha Banerjee.

Meanwhile, Singh’s condition in hospital seems to be fluctuating. From raising hysterical cries on Sunday to a shocked silence on Monday, Singh is apparently suffering from depression, claims his lawyer Niraj Gupta. The police have said they want to wait for Singh to be discharged before they get around to questioning him.

Several of her friends from the television fraternity have requested an end to the trial by media. The case has caused such a stir that it even led to Hema Malini taking to Twitter to make a rather insensitive statement against “senseless suicides which achieve nothing”.

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“One must learn to overcome all odds and emerge successful, not succumb under pressure and give up easily. The world admires a fighter not a loser,” she continues.

What could have gone so wrong for Banerjee that she decided to take a step so final? What could have driven a young girl to end her life? Could love, or rather the denial of it, have been reason enough? Banerjee’s friends and family only hope they can have these questions answered and ensure that justice is served.

Last updated: April 06, 2016 | 16:04
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