A 26-year-old television actor Akshat Utkarsh from Bihar was found dead in his rented apartment in Mumbai’s Andheri area on Sunday night. According to Amboli police officials, Akshat died by suicide and was depressed due to lack of work. His family, however, has dismissed the depression narrative, claiming that the aspiring actor was murdered. His body was taken to his native Muzaffarpur by his family on Tuesday. They have alleged police negligence.
The Amboli police have rejected claims of any foul play and have registered an accidental death report. They said preliminary questioning of the actor’s friends has revealed he was depressed due to lack of work since the lockdown. A probe is currently underway.
Utkarsh’s family has alleged that the police haven’t even lodged an FIR in the case and aren’t probing the reasons seriously. They said the actor was looking for work but had also bagged a film project. The family claims that the actor’s father runs a business and sent him money whenever there was a need, and hence they do not believe the financial crisis angle.
The police said that everything is on record and they are conducting an in-depth inquiry. Officials said the family didn’t approach them with allegations or a complaint when they were in the city, and a formal complaint can still be lodged. A source said the actor’s girlfriend also told the police that he was financially strained and had borrowed money from several people as he had no income.
