Abetment charge by mother

Bitasta Saha

TT, Feb. 8: The mother of actress Bitasta Saha, who was found hanging in her apartment yesterday, has accused a man she identified as an income tax officer of abetting her daughter's suicide.

"We have received a complaint from Bitasta's mother Gita Rani Saha, who has blamed an income tax officer for her daughter's death. A case has been started but we are yet to verify whether the person named in the FIR is indeed an income tax officer," said additional commissioner Vishal Garg.

Based on Gita Rani's complaint, Garfa police station today started a case under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (abetment of suicide) against the accused. 

Bitasta, 28, who used to live alone in a rented apartment at Avishikta-I, off the EM Bypass, had been found hanging from her bedroom ceiling with her left wrist slit. The door of the apartment was broken open by police after Gita Rani's knocks on the main door went unanswered. The police had found a blade, empty liquor bottles and cigarette stubs in the flat.

Sources said the investigation so far suggests that she was in a relationship with the accused, who is married. Bitasta had moved to the flat from her mother's home three months ago apparently because Gita Rani disapproved of the relationship.

"According to Gita Rani, of late, Bitasta wanted to come out of the relationship but the accused was not allowing her to do so. This triggered her suicide, her mother has alleged," said an officer at Lalbazar.

The police are expected to examine the accused. The charges, if proved, could land the accused in jail for up to 10 years.