Days after Chithra, a video jockey (VJ) and actor was found dead in a hotel room near Chennai, the Nazrathpettai police arrested her husband, Hemnath, on Monday. Chithra was found dead, suspectedly due to suicide, in a hotel room near Poonamallee in the wee hours of December 9. 

According to a report, Hemnath was arrested for allegedly abetting Chithra’s suicide. Chithra was reportedly staying in the hotel with Hemnath at the time of her death. The couple got married a few months ago and had planned a traditional wedding with guests in January 2021. The police questioned Hemnath for nearly six days before making the arrest. Hemnath was then remanded to judicial custody. 

Chithra was a popular VJ and was known for her role as Mullai in the Tamil daily soap Pandian Stores, telecast on Star Vijay channel. She was 29 at the time of her death. The actor had checked into their room in the wee hours of Wednesday, after returning from a shoot. Around 3.30 am, the police control room received a call from the hotel informing about the death. The police rushed to the spot and sent the body for autopsy and simultaneously started the probe into the case. 

Several actors and celebrities expressed their shock at Chithra’s demise with a lot of them remarking that Chithra was a brave woman and it is unlikely that she would have taken the drastic step on her own. While the police concluded that the death was by suicide, Chithra’s family and friends have alleged foul play in her death. The police have been questioning Hemnath, Chithra’s family members and friends in relation to the case. 

The Regional Divisional Officer (RDO) began the probe into the case on Monday. An RDO investigation is done when a woman who has been married for seven years or less dies in a suspicious manner.