Kritika Chaudhary Death Case: A Promising Actress Whose Life Ended Tragically
The story of actress Kritika Chaudhary remains one of the disturbing chapters associated with Mumbai’s entertainment industry. The young actress, who had appeared alongside Kangana Ranaut in the 2013 film Rajjo, was found dead inside her Mumbai apartment in June 2017.
Kritika was only 27 years old.
What initially appeared to be a mysterious death soon turned into a murder investigation involving CCTV footage, a blood-stained shirt, suspected drugs and a claimed financial dispute of just Rs 6,000.
However, the case also raised questions for her family, particularly because investigators reportedly recovered Rs 22,000 in cash from her apartment.
Who Was Kritika Chaudhary?
Kritika Chaudhary was originally from Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Like many aspiring actors, she moved toward the entertainment industry in search of opportunities.
Before entering acting, she reportedly worked for a mobile network company in Delhi. Her personal life also went through significant changes before she eventually settled in Mumbai and pursued acting and modelling.
She appeared in television productions and worked on shows including Parichay and Savdhaan India. She also became part of several Balaji productions.
Her most notable film association was Rajjo, the 2013 Hindi film starring Kangana Ranaut, in which Kritika played the role of Kangana’s sister.
Although she had not yet achieved major stardom, she was continuing to pursue opportunities in the industry.
The Day Her Neighbours Discovered Something Was Wrong
On June 12, 2017, residents of Shri Bhairavnath SRA Society in Andheri West, Mumbai, reportedly noticed a foul smell coming from the fifth floor.
The smell was coming from Kritika’s apartment.
Police were alerted and entered the flat. Inside, they discovered Kritika’s decomposing body on a bed.
The circumstances immediately raised suspicion.
Her apartment had been locked from the outside, while the television and air conditioner were reportedly still running.
According to the police investigation reported by NDTV, Kritika had suffered severe head injuries.
A blood-stained brass knuckle was also reportedly found near the body, while investigators discovered a white powder that was suspected to be a drug.
Her Family Had Been Trying to Contact Her
Kritika’s brother, Deepak Chaudhary, reportedly last spoke with her on June 8.
After that conversation, she stopped responding to calls.
The timing became significant because investigators believed she was killed around that period.
Kritika had also celebrated her 27th birthday shortly before her death. According to the reported account, a former friend sent her a birthday message four days before her body was discovered, but received no response.
These details added to the growing mystery surrounding her final days.
The Blood-Stained Shirt Became an Important Clue
One of the important pieces of evidence reportedly recovered from the apartment was a man’s shirt containing Kritika’s blood.
Investigators also examined CCTV footage from the building.
The footage reportedly showed two men leaving the building around the time investigators believed Kritika had been killed.
The combination of CCTV footage, forensic evidence and information from police sources eventually helped investigators identify two suspects.
They were reportedly traced to the Panvel area after allegedly moving between different locations.
Police Alleged That a Rs 6,000 Debt Was the Motive
According to the police investigation reported by NDTV, one of the suspects, identified as Shakeel Naseem, was allegedly involved in supplying drugs.
Police claimed that Kritika owed him approximately Rs 6,000 relating to drugs supplied earlier.
Investigators alleged that Naseem had tried to recover the money and eventually obtained Kritika’s address.
On June 8, he reportedly returned to her apartment accompanied by another man, identified as Vasudev.
What happened next became central to the murder investigation.
According to the police version, an argument broke out and Kritika was allegedly attacked with brass knuckles.
Police claimed she was struck three times in the head.
She died from her injuries.
The suspects allegedly left the apartment afterward, leaving behind the blood-stained shirt.
Why Were the Television and Air Conditioner Left On?
Investigators reportedly believed that the television and air conditioner were deliberately left running.
The apartment was then locked from outside.
According to the police theory, this may have been an attempt to delay the discovery of the body and create confusion about when Kritika had died.
Such details made the case particularly disturbing because they suggested that the crime scene may have been manipulated to delay suspicion.
The Rs 22,000 Question
One of the biggest questions raised by Kritika’s family concerned the alleged Rs 6,000 debt.
Police reportedly recovered approximately Rs 22,000 in cash from the apartment and later handed the money to her family.
This reportedly made her family question whether a Rs 6,000 debt alone could explain the murder.
If she had more money than the alleged debt, why would she risk her life over such a comparatively small amount?
That question reportedly remained a source of doubt for her family.
It is important to distinguish between the police’s alleged motive and what has been independently established as the definitive motive. A reported police theory does not automatically answer every question surrounding a criminal case.
Kritika’s Struggles Before Her Death
Kritika’s life before her death was reportedly complicated.
A former friend told The Quint that she had struggled with drug addiction and had experienced serious personal difficulties.
The same account described previous incidents in which Kritika allegedly threatened to harm herself while intoxicated.
Her personal relationships also attracted attention during the investigation.
She had reportedly married Vijay Dwivedi after meeting him while working in Delhi. Their marriage later ended following allegations of infidelity.
Police reportedly questioned Dwivedi during the investigation, although the investigation ultimately focused on other suspects.
Her Career Was Still Developing
Kritika’s acting career was still at an early stage when she died.
She had worked in television and appeared in Rajjo, but she was reportedly hoping for larger opportunities.
According to the reported account, she had also secured an opportunity to work as an assistant director on a television serial and had discussed her ambitions of eventually making her own directorial debut.
Her death therefore came at a time when she was still trying to establish herself professionally.
What Made the Case So Mysterious?
Several elements made the Kritika Chaudhary case particularly difficult to understand:
- She was found alone inside a locked apartment.
- Her television and air conditioner were reportedly running.
- She had suffered fatal head injuries.
- A blood-stained brass knuckle was reportedly recovered.
- A man’s blood-stained shirt was found inside the apartment.
- CCTV footage reportedly showed two men leaving the building.
- Police alleged that the murder was connected to a Rs 6,000 debt.
- Her family reportedly questioned this motive after Rs 22,000 cash was recovered.
Together, these details created a case that continued to raise questions even after suspects were arrested.
Kritika Chaudhary and Kangana Ranaut’s Rajjo Connection
For many people, Kritika Chaudhary is remembered because of her appearance in Rajjo, the 2013 film starring Kangana Ranaut.
Her role was relatively small, but the film became one of the notable entries in her short acting career.
Her tragic death years later brought renewed attention to her brief journey in Bollywood.
A Life and Career Cut Short
Kritika Chaudhary’s story is ultimately about more than a murder investigation.
She was a young woman who left her hometown, entered a competitive industry and attempted to build a career in acting.
Her journey included television appearances, modelling, film work and ambitions of moving behind the camera.
But at just 27, her life came to a tragic end.
The investigation that followed produced a suspected motive involving a relatively small debt, forensic clues and two arrests. Yet questions raised by her family demonstrated how difficult it can be to understand every aspect of a murder case from a single explanation.
The case remains a grim reminder that behind every crime headline is a real person whose ambitions, relationships and future can disappear in an instant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kritika Chaudhary?
Kritika Chaudhary was an Indian actress and model who appeared in television productions and played a role in the 2013 film Rajjo, starring Kangana Ranaut.
How did Kritika Chaudhary die?
She was found dead in her Mumbai apartment on June 12, 2017. According to the reported police investigation, she suffered fatal head injuries.
Was Kritika Chaudhary murdered?
Police investigated her death as a murder and arrested two men who were allegedly connected to the crime.
What was the alleged motive?
According to the police version reported by NDTV, the alleged motive involved a Rs 6,000 debt related to drugs.
Why did the Rs 22,000 cash become important?
Police reportedly recovered Rs 22,000 in cash from Kritika’s apartment. Her family reportedly questioned the alleged Rs 6,000 debt motive because the recovered cash was more than the amount allegedly owed.
Which movie did Kritika Chaudhary appear in with Kangana Ranaut?
Kritika Chaudhary appeared in the 2013 Hindi film Rajjo, which starred Kangana Ranaut.
Editor’s Note
This article is based on publicly reported information concerning the investigation into Kritika Chaudhary’s death. Allegations attributed to police or other sources should not be treated as independently proven facts unless established by a court.
