The Bombay High Court has given a historic verdict in the case of the death of late actress Pratyusha Banerjee, who became a household name by playing the character of Anandi in the famous television serial 'Balika Vadhu'. After a 10-year long legal battle, the court has completely acquitted Pratyusha's then boyfriend and actor-producer Rahul Raj Singh of the charges of abetment to suicide. Justice S. Yes. The single bench of Dige gave this order while accepting the revision plea of Rahul Raj Singh. The court made it clear that the prosecution does not have solid and sufficient evidence to prosecute Rahul, hence proceeding with the trial would be an abuse of the legal process. That dark evening of April 1, 2016: When Pratyusha's dead body was found in Goregaon flat. This tragic incident came to light on April 1, 2016, when 24-year-old Pratyusha Banerjee was found hanging from the fan in her rented flat in Goregaon West, Mumbai. As soon as information about the incident was received, the entire TV industry and millions of its fans were shocked. On the complaint of Pratyusha's mother Soma Banerjee, Mumbai's Bangur Nagar Police had registered an FIR against Rahul Raj Singh under sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 323 (causing hurt), 504 (insult) and 506 (threatening) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The family had alleged that Rahul was torturing Pratyusha physically, mentally and financially, due to which the actress took this suicidal step due to stress. From Dindoshi Sessions Court to High Court: Legal journey of discharge petition Mumbai Police had filed its charge sheet in the case in the year 2018. After this, Rahul Raj Singh had filed a discharge application in Dindoshi Sessions Court of Mumbai, claiming himself innocent. However, in August 2023, the Sessions Court had rejected his plea saying that prima facie from the statements of the witnesses it appeared that the behavior of the accused had made the life of the deceased stressful. This order of the lower court was challenged by Rahul through his lawyers in the Bombay High Court. After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the High Court overturned the decision of the Sessions Court and acquitted Rahul of all charges. Last call recording and those arguments of the defense which turned the whole case upside down: During the hearing in the High Court, Rahul Raj Singh's lawyers presented many important evidence and arguments. A recording of the last telephonic conversation between the two, about an hour before Pratyusha committed suicide, was placed before the court. In this call recording, Rahul was heard calming Pratyusha, admonishing her lovingly and urging her not to take any wrong step. Apart from this, it was also argued that when the door of the flat was locked from inside, Rahul was the one who opened the door with the help of the key holder and immediately took Pratyusha to the nearby Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. The defense also said that the two were planning to get married in December 2016 and the absence of any suicide note does not prove that Rahul had instigated Pratyusha. What is the legal standard for abetment of suicide (Section 306)? Under Indian law, there must be mens rea (criminal intention) and direct and active incitement to convict an accused under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (corresponding to the current BNS). Mere marital or love discord, domestic discord or argument cannot legally be considered an incitement to suicide, unless the accused has deliberately created such an environment that the victim is left with no other option but to commit suicide. The Bombay High Court held that the evidence on record did not show that there was any provocative act by Rahul which forced Pratyusha to commit suicide. End of legal battle or option of appeal in Supreme Court? After being acquitted by the Bombay High Court, Rahul Raj Singh has got a big relief from the decade-long legal and social tension. After this decision, the criminal trial against him has now ended. However, according to legal experts, the parents of late Pratyusha Banerjee or the state government still reserve the constitutional right to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the country's highest court i.e. the Supreme Court to challenge this order of the Bombay High Court.
