Pratyusha Banerjee allegedly hanged herself just days after having an abortion

Police in India are investigating whether abortion was a factor in the suicide of a Bollywood TV star’s suicide earlier this month.

Pratyusha Banerjee, a 24-year-old actress who shot to fame with popular daily soap Balika Vadhu, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her home in Mumbai on 2 April. It has been alleged that she took the drastic step due to her troubled relationship with her live-in boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh.

Pregnancy & abortion

However, this week doctors revealed that Pratyusha was pregnant and had had an abortion just days before her death, according to reports.

India Today uncovered more details:

"Pratyusha conceived in the month of January and underwent abortion in the first week of March after consulting a doctor. The pregnancy was terminated through oral pills.Though Rahul was aware of Pratyusha's pregnancy, he did not accompany her to the doctor at the time of abortion, Rahul revealed to a Mumbai Police officer who questioned him.

Police questioning

"Rahul was questioned by Mumbai Police about Pratyusha's pregnancy and consequent abortion."

Below is the transcript of police questioning:

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: Was Pratyusha Pregnant when she died?

Rahul: No. She was not pregnant when she died.

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: Did she ever conceive when she was in a relationship with You?

Rahul: Yes. In the month of January.

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: When in January?

Rahul: I don't remember the date. But I think in the first week of January.

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: when did she abort the baby?

Rahul: She aborted the child in the month of March, first or second week.

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: Did you and Pratyusha consult a doctor before aborting the baby?

Rahul: Pratyusha had consulted a Gynaecologist before abortion.

Deepak Phatangre, Investigative officer, Mumbai Police: Did you accompany her when she went to consult the gynaecologist?

Rahul: No. She had gone alone. I was busy with some work.

Tragically, Pratyusha Banerjee is the latest in a long line of women to have committed suicide shortly after having an abortion. Earlier this month, we reported the tragic case of Jade Rees, a 21-year-old single mother who hanged herself three weeks after her abortion. According to reports, the young woman played the Ed Sheeran song 'Small Bump', on YouTube through her phone before she took her own life.

Ashli Blake and Emma Beck

And it was just last month that details emerged of Ashli Blake, a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide two years after having an abortion when she was just 13.

Anyone who’s seen the SPUC school talk will also remember Emma Beck, who hanged herself the day before her 31st birthday in February 2007 after aborting her baby twins when she was eight weeks pregnant. In her suicide note, Emma wrote: "I told everyone I didn't want to do it, even at the hospital. I was frightened, now it is too late. I died when my babies died. I want to be with my babies: they need me, no-one else does."

Today’s news story is yet another tragic reminder that as well as taking the life of an innocent child, abortion too often can also destroy the life of that child’s mother.

If you are suffering after abortion, or know anyone who is, you can contact the Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline on: 0845 603 501