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Bombay High Court Discharges Rahul Raj Singh in Pratyusha Case
The Bombay High Court ended the case against Rahul Raj Singh.
He had been accused of helping cause actor Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide.
Banerjee was known for the television show Balika Vadhu.
She died at her rented home in Goregaon on April 1, 2016.
Singh’s lawyers said he tried to persuade her not to harm herself.
They also said he tried to save her and take her to a hospital.
The lawyers argued that there was no suicide note and not enough evidence for a trial.
The court agreed to discharge Singh, so he will not face trial in this case.
The Bombay High Court discharged Rahul Raj Singh in the 2016 case alleging he abetted actor Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide.
Banerjee, known for the television show Balika Vadhu, died by suicide at her rented Goregaon apartment on April 1, 2016.
Singh’s lawyers argued that their last conversation showed him trying to stop Banerjee from taking a drastic step.
The defence also cited Singh’s efforts to revive Banerjee and questioned the FIR’s registration in the absence of a suicide note.
The High Court accepted Singh’s plea, meaning he will not face trial in the case.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, Rahul Raj Singh, Pratyusha Banerjee, and Bangur Nagar Police were involved.
- What
- The High Court discharged Singh from the case alleging abetment of Banerjee’s suicide.
- Where
- Banerjee died at her rented apartment in Goregaon, Mumbai; the case was decided by the Bombay High Court.
- When
- Banerjee died on April 1, 2016; Singh received anticipatory bail in July 2016; police filed a chargesheet in 2018; and the High Court issued its decision on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
- Why
- The court accepted Singh’s argument that the material on record did not establish the ingredients of abetment.
Singh’s Defence
Allegations Against Singh
Whether abetment was established
Singh’s Defence
Singh’s lawyers argued that the case material did not contain the ingredients of abetment and that his last conversation showed him trying to dissuade Banerjee from taking a drastic step.
Allegations Against Singh
Singh had been booked on allegations that he harassed or abetted Banerjee’s suicide, following a complaint by her mother.
Events at the apartment
Singh’s Defence
The defence said Singh attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and took Banerjee to hospital, relying on statements from a neighbour and a key maker.
Allegations Against Singh
The articles report the allegation and the defence response but do not provide a separate prosecution account of these events.
Basis for continuing the case
Singh’s Defence
Singh’s lawyers questioned the haste in registering the FIR and noted that no suicide note was found, arguing that a trial would abuse the legal process.
Allegations Against Singh
The police had filed a chargesheet, and the case had proceeded to the discharge stage after Singh’s initial booking under abetment and related provisions.
Key facts
- Court decision
- The Bombay High Court discharged Rahul Raj Singh and ruled that he would not face trial in the case.
- Deceased actor
- Pratyusha Banerjee, who played the lead role in Balika Vadhu.
- Date and place of death
- April 1, 2016, at her rented apartment in Goregaon.
- Original allegation
- Singh was booked for allegedly abetting Banerjee’s suicide.
- Anticipatory bail
- The Bombay High Court granted Singh anticipatory bail in July 2016.
- Police chargesheet
- Bangur Nagar Police submitted a chargesheet in 2018.
- Defence argument
- Singh’s lawyers said his last conversation showed concern for Banerjee and that he tried to save her.
- Procedural outcome
- Singh’s discharge plea was accepted after the Sessions Court had rejected it.
Sources
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