Bombay HC discharges Rahul Raj Singh in Pratyusha Banerjee abuse-of-suicide abetment case

The Bombay High Court has discharged Rahul Raj Singh, former partner of actor Pratyusha Banerjee, in the case over her suicide. Banerjee was a household name for playing Anandi in the TV serial 'Balika Vadhu'. Ten years have passed since her death.

Banerjee was found dead on April 1, 2016, at her rented home in Goregaon West. She was only 24. News of her death had sent a shock through the entire entertainment industry.

On a complaint by Banerjee's parents, Bangur Nagar police registered a case against Singh under sections including abetment of suicide. Singh was accused of mentally harassing Banerjee, but he denied the allegations.

In July 2016, the Bombay High Court granted Singh anticipatory bail. Police filed a chargesheet in the case in 2018. Singh applied to the Dindoshi Sessions Court seeking discharge, but the sessions court rejected the plea in August 2023. Singh then challenged that decision in the Bombay High Court.

In the High Court, Singh was represented by senior advocate Abad Ponda and advocate Shreyansh Mithare. According to them, in the last conversation with Banerjee, Singh was persuading her not to take any extreme step. The lawyers also drew the court's attention to the fact that Singh had expressed love for her in that conversation.

The lawyers also argued that no suicide note was found at the scene and that there was no solid evidence to prove the charge of abetment of suicide against Singh. They also said it was Singh who opened the door and tried to take Banerjee to hospital.

On September 30, 2026, a single bench of Justice Shivkumar G. Dige allowed Singh's petition and discharged him. The court recorded that, on the evidence available, there did not appear to be sufficient grounds to proceed with the abetment of suicide case against Singh.

Earlier, the Dindoshi Sessions Court had rejected Singh's plea on the basis of witness statements. According to the sessions court, the accused's alleged harassment had made Banerjee's life hell, and prima facie it appeared she had killed herself because of that harassment. The High Court discharged Singh after considering all the available evidence, including the last conversation he placed before it.

Nearly ten years after Banerjee's death, Singh has thus received major legal relief. The High Court's detailed order is expected to be available later.