'Depressed' model commits suicide in Punjab

Chandigarh, Nov 16 (IANS) A young model, said to be suffering from depression after the death of her child, committed suicide at her apartment in the industrial town of Derabassi in Punjab.

The body of model Bhanu Verma, 22, was found in her room Thursday by servants who informed her 58-year-old NRI husband Kuldip Singh Bhangu. Bhangu told police investigators that Bhanu had been 'depressed' for the last few days after their two-year-old son died on Nov 1 following illness.

The model, who was fairly well known in Punjab's modelling and music video circles, hanged herself to death from a window with her 'dupatta'.

Punjab Police officials investigating the suicide said that they were questioning Bhangu and the servants to determine the reason behind the suicide.

Bhanu's husband, more than double her age, has been settled in US since 1967 and runs a computers business there. He has another wife and three children in the US.

Bhangu and Bhanu met in 2003 and got married in 2004. Bhangu had come to India earlier this month after the death of their son and was present in the house at Derabassi, about 25 km from here, when his wife committed suicide.

Bhanu's husband had bought her a spacious flat at the Gulmohar city here. She also owned a luxury car.

Bhanu's cousin Dinesh Thakur has lodged a complaint with the local police alleging foul play but no arrests have been made so far.

Bhanu had featured in several Punjabi music videos with leading singers like Gurdas Mann. One of her latest videos is to be released on Nov 25.

She hailed from Sirmour district in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and had been living in Chandigarh for some time.