Leading fashion designer Prathyusha Garimella allegedly died by suicide in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on Saturday, June 11. The body of the 35-year-old was found in the bathroom of her boutique in MLA Colony. The police found the body after the watchman alerted them when she did not respond to his knocks. The Banjara Hills police registered a case and shifted the body to the Osmania Hospital for autopsy. The well-known designer, who ran her own boutique named 'Prathyusha Garimella', also worked as a fashion designer for Tollywood and Bollywood personalities.
The police, who initially treated it as a death under suspicious circumstances, later found a suicide note. A case under Section 174 (police to enquire and report on suicide, etc.) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was registered.
On June 10, she is said to have left the residence after informing her family members that she was going to stay at one of her friend's place and would return on Saturday. However, when Prathyusha's father tried to contact her over phone on Saturday morning, there was no response. At around noon on Saturday, Prathyusha's father received a call from the watchman of the boutique stating she was not responding to the door bell, the complaint said.
Her father rushed to the boutique and found that the door was locked from inside. He then got it forcefully opened and found his daughter dead with a suicide note in her hand. A police team visited the scene and conducted inquiry.
The watchman told the police that Prathyusha had come to the boutique on Saturday morning and when she did not come out till afternoon, he went to check on her. As she did not respond to repeated knocks on the door, he alerted the neighbours, who informed the police.
Pratyusha had worked as a fashion designer for leading celebrities Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Jacqueline Fernandez and several Tollywood personalities.
Actor Ram Charan's wife Upasana Konidela took to Twitter to condole the death of her friend.
"My bestie, my dearest friend. Gone too soon - Upset/Pissed/Sad - She had the best of everything, career, friends & family, yet succumbed to depression. Post this incident, truly believe that karmic baggage passes through lifetimes. We pray for her peace," Upasana wrote.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional suppport to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 and and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to inidviduals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.