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Drama prevailed at the Shree Sai hospital in Kandivli (East) on Friday after Rahul Raj Singh, the boyfriend of deceased television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, who was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her city home on April 1st, threatened to commit suicide by jumping off the hospital building. Sources said that Singh locked himself in the hospital bathroom and refused to come out until the doctors managed to convince him. His family said that Singh seemed to have developed suicidal tendencies, and that they were scared for his well-being.
According to sources at the suburban hospital, Singh, an actor and event manager, had visited the Bangur Nagar police station on Friday for investigations. He was interrogated for a couple of hours before returning to the hospital, where he was admitted on 3 April following complaints of chest pain and depression. However, upon returning to the hospital, he went to his ward’s bathroom and locked himself in. When he did not return for a few minutes, his relatives panicked and informed doctors, who then tried to persuade him to come out.
He was crying inconsolably inside the bathroom. His wails could be heard clearly outside. He was threatening to end his life, jump off the building. But then, after several minutes of coaxing, doctors managed to convince him, and he agreed to get out of the bathroom.Hospital Source
Singh’s father, meanwhile, confirmed the incident. Speaking to The Quint, he said,
The incident did happen, but I’m not in the condition to discuss it. My son has developed suicidal tendencies, and I’m extremely scared for his health.Harshvardhan Singh, Rahul Raj Singh’s father
According to doctors at the hospital, Singh was suffering from severe depression following his girlfriend’s death. The depression, sources said, had more to do with the actress’ death, than Singh’s own arrest for abetting the suicide.
He was inconsolable when I first interacted with him. He would keep muttering things; absolutely abnormal behaviour. He would keep saying, ‘I’m coming to you, Pratyusha. I know you are alone. I’m coming to you.’ He would say that he was going to marry her soon. Further, he was physically frail, was unable to eat, had blood pressure issues. When he was given intravenous injections, he would pluck them out, and blood would start flowing.Hospital Source
Hospital authorities said that after examination, Singh was discharged on Saturday evening, after twelve days of treatment, and has been prescribed anti-depressants. He has also been advised to visit the hospital if required.
His condition is better now. There is some element of psychiatric trauma, but he’s doing better than before.Santosh Goel, Director, Shree Sai Hospital
Meanwhile, Pratyusha’s father Shanker Banerjee submitted a complaint to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday stating that the hospital was shielding Singh. In the email letter, he urged the IMA to conduct an inquiry against the hospital and pleaded for appropriate action against its authorities if they were found guilty.
The letter read, “Rahul on pretext of some illness was admitted by the hospital and we are sure that there is a high handed conspiracy between the management of the hospital and the accused, and since last few days the accused is been given shelter by the hospital. It may also be noted that we have learnt from reliable sources that in the past also this hospital has shielded criminals by taking huge amount of money from them. We also have doubts that they have unofficially taken money from Rahul as well and they are giving him protection and helping him to get bail on medical grounds, and the same is a matter of serious concern and also we are also doubtful regarding the registration of the hospital and its doctors.”
Reacting to the letter, Dr Goel said that the hospital was only performing its duty by tending to Singh.
I completely sympathise with Pratyusha’s family. It is too huge a loss for them. And if Singh is guilty, he should definitely be punished. But that is something that the police and courts have to decide. To us, he is a patient, and we have treated him like we treat any other patient. When he came to us, he was depressed, and there was a possibility that he could harm himself. If we did not treat him in time, and had he done something drastic, we would have been criticised for not living up to the medical oath. We’re only doing our duty.Santosh Goel, Director, Shree Sai Hospital
Meanwhile, Singh, while addressing a few members of the press on Sunday afternoon, following his questioning at Bangur Nagar police station, said that he was innocent, and that the press shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Singh, who has been booked for abetting the suicide of the 24-year-old actress, was granted interim protection from arrest by the Bombay High Court. His bail plea is due to be heard on Monday.
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