Pratyusha Banerjee suicide case: Rahul's interim relief from arrest extended

The Bombay High Court today extended by a week the interim protection from arrest to actor-producer Rahul Raj Singh, booked for allegedly abetting the suicide of his girlfriend and TV star Pratyusha Banerjee. The court was also informed that a special public prosecutor has been appointed in the case.

Justice Mridula Bhatkar, hearing Singh’s anticipatory bail plea, granted him further liberty on the same terms and conditions imposed on April 12 when he got interim protection for the first time.

The court had earlier asked Singh to appear before Bangur Nagar Police Station in suburban Goregaon (where the case against him has been filed) everyday from April 13 to April 18 between 11 AM and 1 PM. The judge had also directed that in case Rahul is arrested, he should be released on a bond of Rs 30,000.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government, in a letter, informed the high court it has appointed Nilesh Pawaskar as the special public prosecutor in the case but a notification in this regard is yet to be issued. Government Pleader Usha Kejriwal told the high court there was hardly any progress in the investigation because the accused (Singh) was hospitalised and discharged just two days ago. She also claimed the accused was not cooperating in the probe.

The high court later deferred the hearing on the pre-arrest bail plea to April 25 and until then extended the interim relief given to Singh. Police had filed a report last week alleging Singh, who was staying with Pratyusha at a flat in Goregaon, used to assault her. He used to regularly borrow money from the actress and also withdrew money from her bank account, which is why she committed suicide, according to the report.

The 24-year-old “Balika Badhu” fame actress was found hanging at her residence in Goregaon on April 1. On the basis of a complaint filed by her mother, Singh was booked under IPC Sections related to abetment of suicide, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt. Rahul Raj Singh underwent treatment for alleged depression at a hospital in Borivali for nearly two weeks since April 3.