Suicide is Very Cowardly: Pratyusha’s Boyfriend Rahul Opens Up

Rahul Raj Singh tells his side of the story for the first time after Pratyusha’s death

Pratyusha Banerjee and Rahul Raj Singh in happier times (Photo: Instagram; altered by The Quint)

Rahul Raj Singh, accused of abetting the suicide of Balika Vadhu star and his girlfriend Pratyusha Banerjee, got a reprieve on June 1st when the Supreme Court confirmed his bail. And the small-time actor-producer is visibly relieved. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he proclaims his innocence and says he is ready to put up a fight.

I knew I was innocent. I wanted the truth to come out on its own. People, who hardly knew the truth about my relationship with Pratyusha, lashed out at me. I kept quiet. If I had retaliated, it would have seemed like a feeble attempt to defend myself.

Rahul Raj Singh

Rahul also says that the whole experience of dealing with rumours about an alleged 9-year-old son, and harsh speculations by the media about his reportedly abusive relationship with the late TV actress, had no basis.

Suicide is a very cowardly thing to do. I’ve gone through hell. I wasn’t given a chance to grieve for Pratyusha. I had to deal with all the rubbish that was heaped on me, plus a 9-year-old son who never existed.

Rahul Raj Singh

He also lashed out against actress Kamya Punjabi, who had brought several allegations against him post Pratyusha’s death.

Kamya Punjabi claims to be Pratyusha’s friend. And if Pratyusha’s call log for the entire year was checked, there might be just one or two calls. 

Rahul Raj Singh

Rahul, instead, blames Pratyusha’s parents. “At a very young age, she (Pratyusha) earned Rs 5-6 Crore. Since she didn’t know how to handle her finances, she handed over her earnings to her parents. When she asked back for her hard-earned money, they said there was nothing,” he says, adding that contrary to popular belief, he is the owner of the house in which he and Pratyusha lived.

The police have sealed my house. For the last two months, I’ve been staying in a hotel with my father.

Rahul Raj Singh 

Coming to the rumours around his relationship with Saloni Sharma, a pained Rahul protests saying that the whole incident has left him scarred and on anti-depressants.

Saloni is my partner in an events management company. She’d meet me for business reasons. Stories about her and me are untrue…I’ll be linked with any girl I am seen with.

Rahul Raj Singh

While he has been battling an avalanche of accusations and legal deliberations, Rahul’s side of the story had not been heard in its entirety till now. Where it all ends remains to be seen.