Did harassment over non-vegetarian food drive 25-year-old Air India pilot to commit suicide? – First post

A 25-year-old woman pilot, Srishti Tuli, employed by Air India, was found dead in her rented flat in Mumbai’s Andheri area.

Officials said she hanged herself using a data cable. However, her family, based in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, has accused her boyfriend, Aditya Pandit, of killing her and trying to stage it as a suicide.

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After the incident, Pandit, 27, was arrested on charges of abetment on a complaint filed by Srishti’s family.

Police confirmed that no suicide note was found at the scene.

Emotional abuse, humiliation: allegations against the pilot’s boyfriend

Srishti Tuli and Aditya Pandit met two years ago during a commercial pilot course in Delhi and started a relationship. However, her family has alleged that Pandit subjected her to emotional abuse and humiliation.

Speak with The Indian ExpressTuli’s family alleged that Pandit publicly abused her and even banned her from eating non-vegetarian food. The family has urged the Mumbai Police to conduct a detailed investigation into her death.

Police investigation revealed that Tuli was mentally disturbed due to Pandit’s alleged harassment. Notably, Pandit had prepared for a pilot exam but did not qualify.

According to NDTVthe First Information Report (FIR) filed against Pandit at Powai police station mentions several incidents of alleged assault. According to Tuli’s uncle, Vivekkumar Narendrakumar Tuli, Pandit pressured her to change her eating habits and treated her regularly.

The FIR also cites an incident from November last year where Pandit borrowed Vivekkumar’s car to take Tuli and her cousin Rashi to Delhi for shopping. During the outing, an argument broke out and Pandit allegedly used abusive language against Tuli in the presence of Rashi. He then rammed the car into another vehicle.

The uncle said the car was damaged, but Pandit seemed unaffected by the incident.

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The bizarre incident surrounding ‘non-vegetarian food’

An argument over non-vegetarian food reportedly ended in public humiliation for Tuli during a dinner in Gurugram in March.

According to NDTVTuli and her friend were having dinner with Rashi and her friends when she and the others suggested they order non-vegetarian food. Pandit is said to have insulted Tuli for the suggestion.

Although the couple eventually left to have a vegetarian meal, minutes later Tuli called Rashi and said Pandit had left her on the road and gone home.

After the incident, Tuli’s uncle said she confided in Rashi and told her about the complications in their relationship. She admitted that despite the difficulties, she felt trapped because of her love for Aditya.

Vivekkumar also recalled another instance where Pandit pressured Tuli to attend a family function even though she was scheduled to fly a flight that day. When she refused, Pandit allegedly blocked her phone number for 10 to 12 days, causing her to panic.

The complaint filed by Vivekkumar further alleged that Pandit regularly humiliated Tuli in public and blocked her phone number over petty differences.

Pilot told friend she was taking the ‘extreme step’?

After returning from work on Sunday, Srishti Tuli allegedly had an argument with her boyfriend at her residence. Pandit left for Delhi around 1am on Monday, but Tuli reportedly called him and said she was planning to take the extreme step.

According to police officials, Pandit rushed back to her flat but found the door locked from inside. He called a keysmith to unlock the door and found her unresponsive. Tuli was taken to Seven Hills Hospital in Marol where she was pronounced dead. Her family and the police were immediately informed.

Jitendra Sonawane, senior inspector at Powai police station, said I.E that Pandit was arrested under section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint from Tuli’s family. “He was produced before the court on Tuesday and remanded in custody,” Sonawane added.

The post-mortem report listed suicide as the cause of death. “We have sent the woman’s phone, which is locked, to a forensic laboratory to analyze her conversations with the suspect. We will soon record statements from her family members, close friends, colleagues and housemates,” Sonawane told the media.

Boyfriend used to take money out of her account?

Tuli’s uncle has alleged that Pandit may have drugged and murdered her, despite the autopsy suggesting suicide. He also accused Pandit of withdrawing money from Tuli’s bank account and possibly blackmailing her. I.E reported. “We found some transactions. We would share these details with the police soon,” he said.

Police last month confirmed a transfer of Rs 65,000 from Tuli’s bank account to Pandit, India today reported.

Vivekkumar told the newspaper, “Tuli was the first woman pilot from Gorakhpur and she was honored by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. At her cremation in Gorakhpur, hundreds gathered to pay tribute.”

With input from authorities