Anushka Chakraborty's husband surrenders, denies role in her death

Kushagra Rudra, the husband of Jharkhand High Court advocate Anushka Chakraborty, surrendered before a court in Hazaribag on Thursday after releasing a video denying any role in her death, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing police.

In the video, Rudra blamed his father-in-law for Anushka's death and made several allegations against him before surrendering in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajeev Tripathi, Hazaribag Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rupak Kumar Singh told reporters.

“Kushagra in the video refuted allegations of his involvement in the suicide of his wife and instead shifted the blame on his father-in-law before surrendering in the court of CJM Hazaribag Rajeev Tripathi,” Singh said.

Rudra claimed that he loved his wife deeply and alleged that her father was responsible for her death. According to police, he alleged that his father-in-law wanted to become a director in his company and repeatedly pressured Anushka over the matter.

He also accused his in-laws of making several financial demands, including monthly household provisions, the transfer of Rs 50,000 to his father-in-law's bank account, a car for him, an iPhone and a Bullet motorcycle for his brother-in-law, and Rs 10 lakh for his in-laws' 25th wedding anniversary.

Police told PTI that Rudra also claimed he had paid Rs 7 lakh and later Rs 10 lakh in cash to Manoj Mahato, personal assistant to Ramgarh MLA Mamta Devi, to secure selection in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination. He alleged that his father-in-law refused to intervene when the selection did not take place.

Rudra further alleged that his father-in-law had sent Anushka to live with an advocate named Anshu in Ranchi. He accused Anshu of taking her to clubs and pubs, introducing her to alcohol and facilitating an abortion, police said.

Singh said police had filed an application in court seeking Rudra's remand. “All secrets and truths associated with this high-profile case are expected to come to light only after interrogation in police custody,” he said.

Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar had earlier formed a special investigation team, headed by Amit Kumar Anand, to arrest Rudra. Police teams were sent to West Bengal, Bihar and several places in Jharkhand to trace him before he surrendered on Thursday, Singh said.

Anushka was found hanging at an apartment in Gupta Complex in Hazaribag's Bengali Colony on October 22. Rudra has denied involvement in her death, made allegations against his father-in-law and surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court, while police have sought his custody for questioning.- Ends