Pratyusha’s family wants CB probe

Pratyusha Banerjee’s parents at a press conference at New Mhada Colony, Lokhandwala, Andheri. (Photo: Mrugesh Bandiwadekar)

Expressing dissatisfaction over the police investigation into their daughter’s suicide, parents of late television actress, Pratyusha Banerjee, on Friday demanded a crime branch probe into the case. They also alleged that the police was uncooperative and was trying to protect the accused and Pratyusha’s boyfriend, Rahul Raj Singh.

Pratyusha’s parents, Soma and Shankar Banerjee, made these allegations at a press conference held on Friday. Their allegations came after Mumbai police on July 20 filed the chargesheet in the suicide case, charging Rahul with abetment of suicide, assault and intimidation.

“We are extremely unhappy with the way the police has investigated our daughter's death. They don't keep us informed and more importantly, are dealing leniently with the person responsible for her death,” said Shankar Banerjee, Pratyusha’s father. He alleged that despite approaching the police commissioner and even chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, investigators were treating it as a case of suicide.

“My daughter did not commit suicide but was murdered; yet, police is viewing it as a suicide case,” he said. On reports about Rahul having gone missing after being denied anticipatory bail, Mr Banerjee said Rahul had checked into a hotel in Malad with his ex-girlfriend.

“A day after being denied bail, Rahul checked into a hotel with Saloni Sharma, his ex-girlfriend. Yet, the police say they could not trace him,” he added. Pratyusha’s parents also said they were getting threats from Rahul’s friends.

“When we were in Jamshedpur, we got two threats from Rahul’s so called well-wishers and they asked us not to pursue the matter,” said Soma Banerjee, Pratyusha’s mother.

Mr and Mrs Banerjee revealed that even though the chargesheet was filed more than a week ago, they were yet to receive a copy.

“They keep asking us to visit the court. We will take further action only after seeing a copy of the chargesheet,” said Mr Banerjee. “We want the crime branch to investigate the case as we are not happy with the police investigation. The investigating officer does not keep us updated about the case and is in fact interested only in protecting Rahul,” he said.