Pratyusha Banerjee was forced into prostitution by Rahul Raj Singh, claims lawyer

New details have emerged in the Pratyusha Banerjee suicide case, after a transcript of her last phone call with partner Rahul Raj Singh, was made available to Mumbai Mirror by the lawyer representing the Balika Vadhu actress’ parents.

Neeraj Gupta, Soma and Shankar Banerjee’s advocate, gave details of the three-minute phone conversation, to the daily. Gupta has alleged that Rahul Raj Singh forced Pratyusha into prostitution here in Mumbai, as a result of which she committed suicide.

In the transcript, Pratyusha is recorded as telling Rahul Raj Singh: “I had not come here to sell myself… I had come here to act… to work. And where are you putting me today? Rahul, you have no idea how bad I am feeling right now.”

Later in the conversation, Pratyusha is recorded as having told Rahul: “You are selfish… you are spoiling my name. People are talking about me.”

In this same conversation, Neeraj Gupta says, Pratyusha mentions the word “prostitution” , “making it very clear that she was forced into prostitution by Rahul”.

Rahul Raj Singh has previously said that their last conversation was about an upset Pratyusha complaining that her parents wanted her ’to earn money anyhow'.

Gupta is filing an application for Pratyusha’s death to be re-investigated.

Pratyusha was found hanging from the ceiling of the flat she shared with Rahul on 1 April 2016. She was only 24.

Rahul Raj Singh — whom Pratyusha’s parents accused of being abusive towards their daughter — was booked for abetment of suicide. While the actor-producer applied for anticipatory bail on 8 April, the petition was rejected by the court. Later, the Bombay HC granted him interim protection from arrest.