Mumbai Police are probing the case of 25-year-old Air India pilot Srishti Tuli, who allegedly ended her life by suicide in her rented home in Mumbai’s Marol area on November 25. The authorities have arrested her boyfriend Aditya Pandit under abetment of suicide charges. The case brought to light allegations of harassment, manipulation, and financial exploitation that raises questions on the circumstances that led to Srishti’s death.
Final Moments and Police Investigation
According to police sources, Aditya had a video call with Srishti before the incident. The couple apparently had a fight before he went to Delhi. It was alleged that Srishti told him not to leave in case she died, if he did not return back. Aditya told police that he had constantly tried to contact her since he received distress messages but was unable to get her on the phone.
The police revealed that Srishti had spoken to her mother and aunt 15 minutes before her death. The family has dismissed the suicide theory and has accused Aditya of driving her to the edge.
Investigators have found evidence of 10-11 phone calls between the couple on the day of her death, along with several missed calls on Srishti’s phone. Aditya has reportedly deleted some chats with Srishti, which are now being recovered through forensic analysis.
Allegations of Abuse and Manipulation
Srishti’s family has accused Aditya of repeated abuse and manipulation throughout their relationship. Her uncle, Vivek Tuli, claimed that Aditya often harassed Srishti, citing a 2022 incident where Aditya used abusive language during an argument and caused a car accident in a fit of rage.
Another incident is said to have occurred on March 2024 in a dinner in Gurugram, where he had humiliated Srishti because she had suggested them to take non-vegetarian food. He left her at the road after fighting.
Bank statements also confirm that Srishti transferred around ₹65,000 to Aditya’s family during Diwali time as her family alleged this is done under pressure. In fact, they claim he did not allow her to eat non-vegetarian food and forced her to have a limited diet.
A promising career cut short
Srishti met Aditya during her pilot training in Delhi two years ago. She had successfully cleared her commercial pilot course and was going along quite well in a promising career with Air India. Her family claims that failure to clear the course brought jealousy and resentment into their relationship.
The aunt, uncle, and even the mother of Srishti questioned the nature of her death. “She was cheerful when she spoke to her mother and aunt. How did things take such a drastic turn in just 15 minutes? What did he tell her? What pushed her to this?” questioned her uncle.
Aditya’s Claims
Aditya, now in custody, has denied allegations of harassment. He reportedly told the police that he tried to dissuade Srishti from taking any extreme step and warned her that he, too, would die by suicide if she harmed herself. He claims that upon returning to Srishti’s home, he found it locked and called a locksmith to gain entry, accompanied by another woman pilot who is also being questioned.
Ongoing Investigation
No suicide note has been left, and both parties present contradictory accounts. The case is further complicated by conflicting reports between the two parties while the police treat the death as suicide but probe allegations of psychological and financial abuse.
Srishti’s family continues to demand justice, urging the authorities to examine every aspect of the relationship. “What did he do that led her to this? He needs to answer,”Vivek Tuli said to True to Life.
This heartbreaking case underscores the importance of addressing mental health concerns, relationship abuse, and the need for comprehensive investigations to ensure justice.