In his hour of need, looks like Rahul Raj Singh cannot depend on most people, including his lawyer. A day after he was booked for allegedly abetting his girlfriend Pratyusha Banerjee's suicide, Rahul's advocate Neeraj Gupta withdrew from the case, making a shocking claim - "Rahul is a liar and is not trustworthy. My conscience will not allow me to defend him," he told mid-day.

"When I questioned him, he kept lying and did not give clear answers. Then I learnt the truth about certain things - that he used to hit Pratyusha and treat her badly. I thought of my daughter and realised I could not take his case," Gupta added.

In his place, a new lawyer, Vikas Singh Goar, has been appointed by Rahul's family. The new lawyer filed for anticipatory bail yesterday, but Judge FM Khwaja will hear the matter today. The bail hearing is scheduled at Dindoshi session court for 11 am.


Suicidal?
According to sources from the Bangur Nagar police, Rahul is yet to be arrested as he remained in Shree Sai Hospital in Kandivli east for the fourth day after he was admitted for breathing difficulty and stress. Rahul is not fit for discharge as he is exhibiting suicidal tendencies, disclosed Dr Santosh Goel, from the hospital, who added that Rahul was still in shock after Pratyusha's death. "Whenever he becomes conscious, he calls out for Pratyusha. It is suspected that if he is released from hospital, he may take an extreme step," the doctor said.

In the last few days, Pratyusha's relatives and friends from the film and TV fraternity (actor Kamya Punjabi and producer Vikas Gupta) had alleged that she was tortured by Rahul and his ex-girlfriend. They also said she was considering filing a case against him.

The police have recorded the statements of Kamya and two other close friends - stylist Dolly Das and Akash Patidar. They also took down the statement of the actress' driver.