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The tragic death of Air India pilot Srishti Tuli has sparked a complex police investigation centered around her boyfriend, Aditya Pandit, who is currently in custody on charges of abetment of suicide. The narrative unfolds around a series of events leading up to Ms. Tuli's death on November 25th, 2023, in her Mumbai apartment. According to police sources, a heated argument between Ms. Tuli and Mr. Pandit preceded her suicide. This argument, reportedly stemming from Mr. Pandit's refusal to extend his stay in Mumbai for a few more days, culminated in a video call where Ms. Tuli allegedly threatened suicide and then showed Mr. Pandit her act in progress. The police are actively investigating this crucial video call and are attempting to recover deleted messages from Mr. Pandit's phone, which has been sent for forensic analysis. The sheer volume of communication between the couple in the hours leading to her death, including approximately 10-11 phone calls and numerous missed calls on Ms. Tuli's phone, underlines the intensity of their interaction.
The investigation is not without its complexities. While Mr. Pandit claims he attempted to dissuade Ms. Tuli from taking her life and even contacted a locksmith with another pilot to gain entry to the apartment after finding it locked, his actions and the timing of his response remain under intense scrutiny. The police are also questioning the second pilot involved in gaining access to the apartment. The presence of numerous missed calls from Mr. Pandit immediately before the discovery of the body suggests a timeline the police are attempting to precisely reconstruct. The recovery of the deleted chat logs will be a critical piece of evidence in determining whether Mr. Pandit’s actions amounted to abetment, or if the tragedy was the result of independent circumstances. The lack of a suicide note further complicates the investigation, forcing the police to rely heavily on circumstantial evidence, digital forensics, and witness statements.
The narrative, however, is not solely defined by the police investigation. Ms. Tuli's family has vehemently rejected the police's initial conclusion of suicide, instead accusing Mr. Pandit of murder. Their allegations paint a picture of a controlling and abusive relationship marked by financial exploitation, harassment, and manipulation. The family claims Mr. Pandit frequently harassed Srishti, citing specific instances of verbal abuse, public humiliation, and financial extraction. A bank statement reportedly shows a significant sum of money, approximately Rs. 65,000, transferred to Mr. Pandit's family around Diwali. The family further alleges that Mr. Pandit imposed dietary restrictions on Srishti, preventing her from consuming non-vegetarian food, and that his jealousy over her successful piloting career played a role in their troubled relationship. The family's detailed account underscores the deeper complexities surrounding Ms. Tuli's death and adds layers to the ongoing investigation.
The incident involving a car accident last year where Mr. Pandit allegedly verbally abused Ms. Tuli and rammed another vehicle during an argument further strengthens the family's claims of consistent abuse. A similar incident at a dinner gathering in Gurugram where he allegedly left her on the road after an argument over their choice of food reinforces the pattern of controlling and humiliating behavior. These incidents, combined with the family's allegations of financial abuse, present a picture sharply contrasting with Mr. Pandit's claims of innocence. The contrasting narratives – the police’s assessment of suicide versus the family's allegation of murder – highlight the need for a thorough and unbiased investigation that meticulously examines all available evidence, including witness testimonies, digital forensics, and the detailed timeline of events leading up to Ms. Tuli's death. The final determination of culpability will depend on the success of the police in piecing together the fragmented evidence and the subsequent judicial proceedings.
The case of Srishti Tuli's death transcends the immediate circumstances of her passing. It raises broader concerns about the prevalence of domestic violence and the challenges involved in investigating cases of suspected abetment of suicide. The investigation’s outcome will not only determine Mr. Pandit’s legal fate but also serve as a case study for future investigations into similar situations. The fact that Ms. Tuli spoke to her mother and aunt just fifteen minutes before her death only adds to the mystery surrounding her final moments. The police are tasked with unraveling this complex puzzle, determining the true sequence of events, and determining whether there was any direct involvement in her death. The investigation’s outcome will impact not only Mr. Pandit, but also will significantly influence the ongoing discussion regarding the identification, prevention, and prosecution of domestic abuse and its potential role in tragic outcomes.
Source: Pilot Video-Called Boyfriend Before Suicide, Police Recovering Deleted Chats