'It's Again 14 June': Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide; her last post draws parallels with Sushant Singh Rajput's death, 6 years apart

A shocking piece of news has gripped the television industry. Six years after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, actress Sanchita Ugale, best known for her roles in popular shows like Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, allegedly died by suicide on Sunday, June 14. She was 22.

Just hours before her death, Sanchita had shared a reel on social media in which she was seen posing with a camera and making cute gestures. The video has since gone viral, leaving fans heartbroken.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her residence in Sai Santoshi Building in Aachole Village, Nalasopara East.

Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Bagh of Achole Police Station said that Sanchita had locked herself inside her bedroom and allegedly hanged herself from a ceiling fan using a saree between 7 pm and 7:30 pm.

Family members and residents rushed her to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

After receiving information about the incident, police reached the spot and carried out the necessary procedures. An inquest report was prepared before the body was sent for post-mortem examination.

Based on a complaint filed by her father, Machhindra Ugale, Achole Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on June 15.

Police officials have stated that the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been determined. Authorities are investigating the matter from all possible angles and further inquiries are underway.

The news has come as a major shock to members of the television industry and her fans.

Late actress Sanchita Ugale's brother, Akash Satish Ugale, has alleged a connection between his sister's suicide and the untimely demise of Bollywood actor Sushanth Singh Rajput in 2020.

Speaking to IANS,  he stressed that both his sister and Sushant were facing immense pressure from the industry, which led them to take a drastic step. Not just that, they happened to pass away on the same date, 6 years apart.

He pointed out that the last post on Sanchita Ugale's social media handle was about Sushant Singh Rajput.

She had posted an Instagram reel in which it was written— 'It's again 14 June', remembering Sushanth on his death anniversary on Sunday.

Akash told IANS, "He committed suicide on 14th June 2020. Why? Because Bollywood, this industry, put a lot of pressure on him, and because of that pressure, he committed suicide. In the same way, yesterday my sister also committed suicide for the same reason, that's what I'm saying."

Explaining the connection between the two sudden demises, 6 years apart, he added, "Just 1 day ago, meaning yesterday, she posted an Instagram reel in which it was written— 'It's again 14 June'. This means that 14th June is happening again and yesterday itself she also committed suicide."

At the end, he urged Prime Minister Modi, President Draupadi Murmu, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to look into his sister's death.

"So, I request my country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu, my state's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, to please take note of this incident", he requested.

For the unversed, Sushant was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on 14 June 2020. As per the postmortem report, he died of asphyxia due to hanging,

Sanchita Ugale had been steadily building her career across television, films and OTT projects. She gained recognition for portraying Diya Tandon in Zee TV's long-running show Kumkum Bhagya.

Apart from Kumkum Bhagya, she was also seen as Ruchita Jaitley in Wagle Ki Duniya. She later played the lead role of Sukoon opposite Sorab Bedi in Dangal TV's Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi.

Sanchita also appeared in films and digital projects. She portrayed the younger version of Tara Rani in the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava. She was also part of Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, featuring Manoj Bajpayee.

Further details regarding the case are awaited as the investigation continues.