Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide: Bombay High Court grants Rahul bail

Observing that prima facie there was no evidence to show that film producer Rahul Raj Singh instigated, abetted or facilitated his live-in partner and actor Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide, the Bombay high court on Monday granted him pre-arrest bail.

Special public prosecutor Nilesh Pawaskar and prosecutor Usha Kejriwal argued at length to convince the court that the investigating agency suspected that Pratyusha was murdered and on the basis of information gathered from the witnesses so far the police also want to probe if the accused was working as a drug peddler or he himself was using drugs. However, Justice Mridula Bhatkar told them she would accept arguments only in respect to sections invoked by the police against Rahul.

“You (prosecution) have invoked the section of abetment to suicide and I have to consider the application as per that only. I cannot consider what the investigating agency is suspecting. If you think this is a case of murder, then invoke that section and I will reject the bail application; otherwise satisfy the court that the accused has abetted the suicide,” said Justice Bhatkar.

The high court, while granting his application, directed Rahul to appear before the Bangur Nagar police, which is probing the case, thrice a week for two weeks. “For an offence to be made out under Section 306 of the IPC (abetment to suicide) there should be instigation, intentional aid or an intent that the person should commit suicide,” the court said.