Tunisha Sharma and Sheezan Khan had lunch together. 15 minutes later, she was found dead
TV Actress Tunisha Sharma allegedly died by suicide on the set of her show Ali Baba: Daastan-e-Kaabul. Photo: Instagram
The television industry was left shocked this weekend, when a 20-year-old aspiring actress, Tunisha Sharma, was found dead, allegedly by suicide. Tunisha was found dead on December 24, on the set of her television show Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul, in Maharashtra's Palghar.
- Tunisha had excused herself to go to the washroom and when she didn't return, the crew broke open the door and found her hanging in the make-up room.
- The most surprising thing was that just minutes before her suicide, she had made a post on her Instagram account, which read, "Those who are driven by their passion doesn't stop.(sic)"
Why? Tunisha was reportedly upset after her breakup with Sheezan Mohammed Khan, her co-actor on the show. Sheezan and Tunisha are said to have broken up 15 days ago. It is said that she was in relationship with Khan for quite some time, and that when the two broke up, she was quite disturbed.
What happened on day Tunisha was found dead: Tunisha and Sheezan had lunch together in the makeup van, on the set of their TV show.
- Tunisha and Sheezan wrapped up lunch by 3 pm
- Tunisha was found dead at 3.15 pm
- Police suspect those 15 minutes hold the key to finding out why Tunisha allegedly killed herself
Sheezan arrested: On Sunday, December 25, Maharashtra police arrested Sheezan Khan on charges of abetment to suicide after Tunisha's mother registered a case against him.
Upon interrogation by the police, Sheezan revealed to the cops that the actress had in the past also attempted suicide and that he had saved her back then, India Today reported. Khan also said that he had asked her family to take good care of her.
Tunisha's mother blames Sheezan: Tunisha's mother Vanita Sharma has blamed Tunisha's death on Sheezan. While speaking to news agency ANI, Vanita said that Sheezan had been cheating on her daughter.
"Despite being involved with another woman, he continued the relationship with Tunisha. He used her for three-four months. I just want to say that Sheezan should be punished; he should not be spared. I have lost my child," Vanita said.
Statement from Sheezan's family: In a statement released to the media, Sheezan Khan's family requested privacy.
"To everyone who's been trying to reach out to us for a statement on the case - please allow our family privacy in this grave situation. It's upsetting to see the members of the media constantly calling us and even standing below our apartment buildings. We have full faith in the Indian judiciary system, and Sheezan is cooperating with the Mumbai Police through all the procedures. We will talk about this when the time is right, but for now, please allow us the privacy which our family deserves right now."
Shraddha Walkar's murder behind Sheezan and Tunisha's breakup: Sheezan, in statement to the police, said that he was disturbed after seeing the Shraddha Walkar murder case, and this was the reason he broke up with her, The Print reported, quoting sources.
Sheezan told the Waliv police that he told his girlfriend that belonging to a different community stood in their way, as did their age gap. Sheezan is 28, and Tunisha was 20.
Sheezan in police custody: On Sunday, December 25, a court in Vasai, Maharashtra, sent actor Sheezan Khan to police custody for four days in connection with Tunisha Sharma suicide case.
The police has also sent the mobile phones of Tunisha and Sheezan to the forensic lab so that calls and chats between the two can be retrieved and the police can understand what happened between the two that apparently drove Tunisha to suicide.
The autopsy report: Tunisha's post-mortem was conducted in the early hours of Sunday, December 25, at the JJ Hospital in Mumbai.
The autopsy report ruled out any angle of murder and also chances of Tunisha being pregnant at the time of death.
As per the report, the actress had died by asphyxiation (which means lack of oxygen in the body).
Murder or suicide? While the post-mortem has ruled out murder, police haven't commented on it and are investigating the case from all angles.
Suresh Gupta, President, All India Cine Workers Association has demanded an SIT investigation into the case. "I went to the set today. People there are afraid to tell anything. I'm getting calls from many actresses that it's murder and they are also feeling scared. We demand that SIT should probe it," Gupta told ANI.
TV actor Tunisha Sharma death case: I went to the set today.People there are afraid to tell anything. I'm getting calls from many actresses that it's murder& they're also feeling scared.We demand that SIT should probe it: Suresh Gupta,President,All Indian Cine Workers Association pic.twitter.com/bWsbK2qqRs
— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2022
Last rites: Tunisha's last rites will be conducted on December 27 after her aunt arrives from England.
The 20-year-old actress had also dabbled with Bollywood. She had small roles in films like Baar Baar Dekho, Fitoor and Kahaani 2.