Family blames Rakhi Sawant for son’s death

LUCKNOW: Within a month of going on air, Rakhi Sawant’s reality show has been mired in controversies ranging from public interest litigation to murder allegations.

Laksham Prasad, 24, from Uttar Pradesh was upset after Rakhi Sawant termed him “impotent” on her reality show “Rakhi Ka Insaaf”. Prasad died on Wednesday, and his family alleges that it was because of Sawant’s remarks.

According to Prasad’s mother Savitri Ahirwal, Sawant had termed her son “impotent” while trying to settle the dispute between him and his wife on the reality show.

“My son was so upset with the indecent remarks that he stopped meeting any outsiders or neighbours, who used to laugh at him referring to the remarks by Rakhi Sawant. They had seen the show and how that girl referred to my son,’’ Ahirwal told reporters on Thursday.

“Upset over the remarks, my son started suffering from acute depression and even stopped eating food. He gradually became weak and frail and ultimately died yesterday. No one other than Rakhi Sawant is responsible for the untimely death of my son,’’ she alleged.

Prasad and his wife Vineeta and her family had appeared on “Rakhi Ka Insaaf” in October. The show features Sawant playing the role of a judge who delivers verdicts in cases of domestic violence, marital discord and others.

“Our main objective was to settle the dispute between Lakhsham and his wife Vineeta. We would have never opted for the show if we knew that the girl (Sawant) would ill-treat Laksham in such a manner on national television,’’ said Balbir Ahirwal, Prasad’s maternal uncle.

Prasad and Vineeta married in February 2010. A month after the wedding, they started living separately.

Prasad’s family members said they would register a case against Rakhi Sawant with the police.

“We will not spare Rakhi Sawant. She will have to pay the price for the death. We will also try to submit the video footage of the programme in which Rakhi Sawant can be seen abusing Lakshman,’’ said Ahirwal.

When contacted, police inspector AK Singh said, “As of now we have not received any complaint against Rakhi Sawant but we will surely take necessary action if the family members of the deceased approach us.’’

“Rakhi Ka Insaaf” has also faced criticism from Indian lawyers.  City lawyer Sushan Kunjuaraman filed a case against NDTV Imagine, which aired the show, on October 21, saying the show should go off air as Sawant makes objectionable statements and mocks the law and judiciary.

Undeterred by the lawsuit, Sawant said she will continue hosting the show. “These lawyers are feeling insecure because they feel I’m treading into their territory. But please understand - distressed civilians go to the police and the law of their own will. They also come on my show voluntarily.”

“I provide the justice that comes to my heart. I don’t know the legal language at all. This is my contribution to uplift women. I don’t drag anyone into my show. Everyone wants me to solve their problems. I’ve orchestrated four marriages on my show. Young people, who have not told the truth in court rooms, have spoken out honestly on my show,” said the Bollywood item girl.

Sawant is committed to do 26 episodes of the show.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2010.