The police’s initial inquiries into the suicide of singer Asha Bhosle’s daughter Varsha have revealed her steady decline into illness and depression, which, prima facie, is believed to have been the reason behind her extreme step.
Inquiries till now have revealed that she was under treatment for depression as well as chronic pain in the leg, and had tried to commit suicide twice before in the past by consuming an overdose of sleeping pills.
“Varsha had been depressed since her divorce with Milind Kenkre in 1998, and had attempted suicide at the time. She had also tried to kill herself in 2008. She was being treated for depression, as well as for leg pain, which was so acute that it made it difficult for her to even walk.
"Inquires so far have also indicated that her depression intensified after the demise of photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha. Varsha was planning to start an orphanage in collaboration with him and the plan failed due to his death,” said Krishna Prakash, additional commissioner of police, south region.
Strangely enough, no one on the first floor, where the Bhosales and Mangeshkars live, heard a sound of a gunshot anytime during the night.
“We will be consulting forensic experts to check if the pistol used for the suicide emits a high sound, audible enough for neighbours to hear. We cannot comment on this aspect till then. It is a small firearm, and the sound levels vary with each gun,” Mr Prakash said.
Police officials added that the television in the living room was on when the body was found. Sources close to the family said that Varsha had become increasingly reclusive over the last few years, and did not share a comfortable relationship with anyone, including her close family.
Her family members are expected to reach Mumbai by Monday night after which they will give their statements.