In a recent investigation, Hemanth, the husband of the late actress, along with six others, was acquitted in connection with her death. The Tiruvallur Fast Track Mahila Court, presided over by Judge Revathi, ordered their release, citing a lack of motive and insufficient evidence to support the claim of murder.
With that being said, here are ten key points about the VJ Chitra death case:
- On December 9, 2020, VJ Chitra, widely known for her role as Mullai in the popular Tamil serial Pandian Stores, was found dead in a hotel room in Nazrathpet, Chennai. The 29-year-old actress reportedly died by suicide.
- Chitra had been shooting at EVP Film City until late on December 8. According to her husband, Hemanth, she checked into their hotel room around 2:30 AM. He stated that she went for a bath but did not return. After knocking on the door without response, Hemanth sought help from the hotel staff, who used a duplicate key to open the door, where they found her hanging from a ceiling fan.
- On December 10, doctors confirmed that Chitra's death was a suicide, with no initial signs of foul play. However, the police announced further inquiries based on allegations made by her family.
- On December 14, the Regional Divisional Officer (RDO) initiated an investigation into Chitra’s death, as required when a married woman of seven years or less dies under suspicious circumstances. Chitra had been married to Hemanth for less than two months at the time of her death.
- Chitra's father, a retired police officer, filed a complaint with the Nazarathpet Police, demanding a thorough investigation. The family suspected foul play, leading the police to question Hemanth and the hotel staff.
- Chitra’s mother, Vijaya Kamaraj, publicly accused Hemanth of physically abusing her daughter, stating that she believed Chitra was beaten to death. She expressed disbelief at the sudden news, given that Chitra had spoken to her the previous evening.
- In September 2020, Chitra had posted a heartfelt message on Instagram for Hemanth, acknowledging the challenges in their relationship but emphasizing their bond. This post, along with others, has fueled speculation about the couple's dynamics.
- Reports suggest that Chitra had been battling depression. Her last social media post, shared late on December 8, was a photo from a recent photoshoot, indicating the pressures she may have faced.
- Authorities have also considered financial issues as a possible factor in her suicide. A senior police officer noted that the couple had recently registered their marriage, and no suicide note was found.
- Hemanth was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide. According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hemanth allegedly pushed Chitra on the day of her death, upset over intimate scenes she had filmed for a television serial.
Source / Image Credit : Times of India, One India