Priyanka Singh Tanwar told police that Sushant Rajput told sisters in 2013 that he was "feeling very low"
Sushant Singh Rajput talked about "feeling low" and had consulted a psychiatrist way back in 2013, his sisters told Mumbai Police in their statements after his death. What the actor's sisters Neetu Singh, Priyanka Singh and Meetu Singh told the police in Mumbai contradict what their father had said in a police complaint in Bihar - that the family was not aware of Sushant Singh Rajput's mental health problems.
As details emerge of their versions to the Mumbai Police, the family's lawyer Vikas Singh said the sisters were "pained by the negative campaign on the mental health of Sushant". The lawyer alleged that the statements recorded by the Mumbai Police were in Marathi, were not read out to them and the sisters were "forced to sign" those statements. The statements were recorded in the presence of OP Singh, a senior police officer from Haryana. Mr. Singh's wife Neetu, had also recorded her statement.
"It's being reported as if the family concealed the mental illness. The FIR clearly says that Rhea Chakraborty is responsible for this problem. The treatment which was given to SSR by Rhea wasn't shared with the family. Only tablets were given but no details of the illness was shared with the family," said Vikas Singh this evening.
The police statements which are in the custody of the CBI have added a new twist to the investigation against the actor's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, accused by his family of medicating Sushant Singh Rajput, taking money from his accounts and playing a role in his death.
One of the sisters, Priyanka Singh Tanwar, told the police that Sushant Singh Rajput told his sisters in 2013 that he was "feeling very low".
"In 2013, my brother Sushant Singh Rajput told me and other sisters that he is feeling very low. He used to come out of all this once we all convinced him. In 2013 he consulted a psychiatrist in Andheri. After that he became very composed and his career was progressing well. He had attained huge success in very little time," Priyanka Singh said in her statement.
Sushant Singh Rajput again shared similar feelings with his family last year, she said.
"In October 2019, he told our whole family that he is feeling low, and hence I, my husband, and the other sisters came to meet my brother at his flat in Mumbai. All our sisters lived with him for some time and convinced him properly. My brother was feeling low due to professional ups and downs. My sister Neetu Singh asked her to come with him to Delhi he said that he will come some days later," she told the police.
"In November 2019 my brother was feeling low and hence he was taking medical treatment with Dr. Kersi Chawda in Hinduja hospital. In March 2020, due to COVID-19, he was living at home, reading books, doing exercise and meditation as well as yoga. On 4 June I called my brother and I asked why did not call for four to five days, he was feeling low. At that time, I told him that after the lockdown is over, I will come to meet him," she said.
Priyanka said Meetu Singh had stayed with their brother for four or five days. "On June 12, my sister went from his house to Goregaon, as she had some work in her house. On June 14 (she) called in the afternoon to tell me my brother has committed suicide... After that, I left for Mumbai from Delhi immediately by flight. I don't know if Sushant has committed suicide due to business or any other reasons," said Priyanka.
Meetu Singh also told the Mumbai Police about the October 2019 episode.
She said on June 8, she met Sushant Singh Rajput after he called. "He was calm and when I asked what happened he told me that he cannot go anywhere due to the lockdown and (he is) feeling bored. At that time, he told me that after the lockdown is over we will go around in this in South India," she said.
She said she stayed with him, on his request, cooked for him, chatted with him and also discussed touring South India. She left on June 12 (two days before he was found dead) she said, as her daughter was alone. The actor didn't return her calls or messages that day, she told the police.
"I don't know if Sushant committed suicide clue to business or any other reasons," she said.
A third sister, Neetu Singh, said when their mother Usha Singh died (due to hypertension), the actor was in Class 11 and was "extremely sad". All three statements say - "My statement has been received in Marathi and explained to me in Hindi and it is correct as I said."
The FIR filed about a month later by Sushant Singh Rajput's father KK Singh said: "Before 2019, my son Sushant did not show any signs of mental illness. It should be probed why immediately after coming in contact with Rhea Chakraborty his mental health started deteriorating rapidly."
On a WhatsApp chat of June 8 indicating Priyanka Singh had asked her brother to take anxiety and depression medicine, lawyer Vikas Singh said she was taking medicine for her own anxiety and had shared the prescription with Sushant Singh Rajput.
(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)
Helplines:
1) Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health - 1860-2662-345 / 1800-2333-330 (24 hours)
2) TISS iCall - 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)