Television actress Pratyusha Banerjee (24), best known for her portrayal of Anandi in the popular TV series Balika Vadhu, was found hanging at her Goregaon residence on Friday evening.
According to the police, authorities at the Kokilaben Hospital in Andheri, informed them about the incident on Friday night, after which a police team from the Bangur Nagar police station, was sent to the hospital for further inquiries.
“Pratyusha was rushed to the hospital by some friends. Further inquiries are still under way,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti. The police are currently recording statements of friends who rushed Pratyusha to the hospital. They are trying to put together the sequence of events as well as any interaction that she might have had with them over the last few days. Statements from her family members will be recorded over the next couple of days, the police said. Meanwhile, the police are also examining Pratyusha’s cell phone to see who she had spoken to on Friday, and all will be contacted and quizzed, said investigating officials.
Apart from Balika Vadhu, Pratyusha also starred in several TV shows, including a season of reality show Bigg Boss. Last year she announced her relationship with fellow actor Rahul Raj Singh and the couple was set to tie the knot. They also featured together in another reality show Power Couple. The police are investigating whether there was any problem between the couple. Mr Singh’s statement will also be recorded, said officials.
She has earlier been in a relationship with businessman Makrand Malhotra.
In January this year, Pratyusha had filed a police complaint alleging that eight men, some of them claiming to be policemen, had barged into her Kandivali residence and manhandled her. The case is still under investigation. Pratyusha later shifted to Goregaon. Industry sources said the actress was depressed due to failed relationships in the past and the trouble that she seemed to face in her current relationship.
“An accidental death report (ADR) is being registered with the Bangur Nagar police and further investigations are underway,” said Mumbai police spokesperson Deputy Comissioner Dhananjay Kulkarni.
