Gorakhpur: The family members of Air India pilot Srishti Tuli, whose body was found at her Mumbai flat in the early hours of Monday, are yet to come to terms with the shock and not ready to buy the version that she died by suicide, alleging that the pilot was murdered by her boyfriend.
Srishti's uncle Vivek Tuli on Thursday said that she did not commit suicide but was killed. "She was a very strong girl. Pilot training also involves mental training. Such a girl can never commit suicide," Vivek said.
According to him, Srishti's friend Aditya Pandit and another girl were with her before she was found dead. "They were talking to each other. Thereafter, Srishti went to her flat. I wonder what could have happened in next 15-20 minutes that Shrishti had to die by suicide? Everything was fine. This is murder. Her boyfriend Aditya Pandit, who was arrested, should be interrogated properly," he wondered.
'Aditya often misbehaved with Srishti'
Srishti's uncle remembered Srishti had dreamt of becoming a pilot from her childhood and she had realised her dream. Aditya, who has been arrested by Mumbai Police, also blackmailed her. He used to misbehave with Srishti and himself was preparing to become a pilot and is yet to make the cut. "It was his habit to get angry and shout at Srishti in public," he said.
"Pandit would harass her often and even humiliate her in public. Besides, he had also pressured her to change her food habits," the relative said.
Tuli was from Uttar Pradesh and had been living in Mumbai for work since June last year. She and Pandit had met while pursuing a commercial pilot course in Delhi two years ago and got into a relationship.
The "suicide" came to light after Pandit started his journey to Delhi by car, PTI quoted a Powai police station official as saying. During the drive, Tuli had reportedly called Pandit saying she would end her life, the official said, adding that Pandit rushed to Mumbai and found the door of her flat locked from inside.
When Srishti's room was opened, she was unconscious, Aditya took her to Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
At present, Powai Police took him on a four-day remand. A case of abetment of suicide had been registered against Aditya. Srishti's phone has also been sent for a forensic analysis.
Vivek said his niece became a pilot at the age of 23. She used to fly planes not only in the country but also abroad. CM Yogi has also honoured her as she was Gorakhpur's first female pilot. Srishti came from a soldiers' family. Her grandfather was in the army and made supreme sacrifice in the Indo-Pak war in 1971. The 25-year-old Air India pilot lived in the Marol area of Andheri in Mumbai.
Suicide is not solution
Suicide is not a solution. If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 9152987821, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
