Pratyusha Banerjee suicide: Interim relief from arrest for Rahul

The Bombay high court on Tuesday granted film producer Rahul Raj Singh interim relief from arrest in connection with the suicide of his live-in partner Pratyusha Banerjee.

Justice Mirdula Bhatkar while hearing the anticipatory bail application filed by Rahul observed that his pre-arrest bail application came up for hearing before the high court for the first time and according to investigating officer the accused has not attended the police station even once.

After going through the FIR, the judge further said that the case was pertaining to abetment of suicide and asked the police to interrogate the accused first and even after that if they felt he should be arrested, then they could oppose his bail application.

Government pleader Usha Kejriwal while opposing the anticipatory bail application told the court that on the day that Pratyusha committed suicide the applicant was with her till 3pm. She also alleged that the accused allegedly used to harass her, demand money from her, take out money from her account and assault her and it was owing to stress that she committed suicide.

Justice Bhatkar after hearing her submissions said that the accused has not attended the police station even once in this regard, and if this is a case of abetment to suicide then to let him attend the police station once, before deciding about his arrest.

The judge then posted the matter for further hearing on April 18 and granted Rahul interim relief from arrest. Justice Bhatkar also directed Rahul to attend the police station everyday between 11am and 1pm. The court also said that in case of his arrest during this period, he should be released on a personal bond of Rs 30,000. Order victory of truth, will cooperate with cops: Father Rahul Raj Singh, boyfriend of actress Pratyusha Benarjee, is still in the ICCU of Shri Sai hospital in Kandivali (east).

According to Dr Santosh Goyal, MD of the hospital, Rahul is fit now, and he will be discharged soon. Earlier on Tuesday high court gave relief to Rahul till April 18 and told him to appear before Bangur Nagar police station. Rahul’s father Harshwardhan Singh addressed the court order as a victory of truth and said, “The moment he is fully fit, doctors will discharge him and then we will go to the police statement. Rahul is ready to cooperate with the police, and will appear at the police station on every call.”

Rahul’s close aide told The Asian Age that on Wednesday Rahul would go to the police station as per the court order. Hospital sources said Rahul has started eating but is still under depression.