The case surrounding the tragic death of Priyanka Shrivastava, a woman from Lucknow, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, has escalated into a complex legal and emotional dispute between her husband, Ashish Shrivastava, and her family. Priyanka's death, which occurred during a holiday with her husband and their young son, has raised numerous questions, with Ashish accused by Priyanka's family of being involved in her murder. However, Ashish has vehemently denied the allegations and claims that her family is using the situation to extort a substantial sum of money from him.
Ashish, a doctor by profession, has repeatedly maintained that Priyanka’s death was an unfortunate accident. In an interview, he recalled the events leading up to the tragic discovery of his wife’s body. According to Ashish, both he and Priyanka had consumed alcohol on the night of the incident. He stated that after Priyanka decided to take a bath around midnight, he took their child downstairs to grab something to eat. When they returned to the room, Ashish found Priyanka's lifeless body floating in the bathtub. In shock, he immediately sought help from the hotel staff and rushed her to the nearest hospital, but she was declared dead upon arrival.
Following Priyanka’s death, Ashish said that Thai authorities launched an investigation into the matter, and during this period, his passport was temporarily confiscated. However, after a clearance from the authorities, Ashish was allowed to return to India. He claimed that the financial burden of the incident, including the costs to bring Priyanka’s body back to India, was borne solely by him, amounting to Rs 1 lakh. He added that throughout this difficult time, Priyanka's family did not offer any assistance or come to Thailand to support him. Instead, Ashish stated that her family was more focused on making inquiries to the Indian embassy, possibly under the impression that he was responsible for her death.
In response to the accusations of murder from Priyanka's family, Ashish vehemently denied any wrongdoing, describing the claims as part of an ongoing attempt to extort Rs 25 lakh from him. He accused Priyanka's family of having ulterior motives, suggesting that they were using the emotional distress of the situation to manipulate him financially. Furthermore, Ashish pointed out that Priyanka’s family was well aware of her drinking habits and that it was not unusual for her to consume alcohol during their travels. He dismissed the claim made by Priyanka’s family that she had a fear of water, pointing to video evidence from previous trips where Priyanka actively participated in water sports with him.
Ashish's defense was also supported by his father, who criticized Priyanka's family for not taking the initiative to visit Thailand and investigate the circumstances of Priyanka’s death themselves. Instead, they were allegedly focused on gathering information to monitor Ashish’s movements through the embassy. This, Ashish’s father argued, was indicative of their lack of genuine concern for Priyanka and their apparent focus on accusing Ashish.
On the other hand, Priyanka’s father, Satyanarayan Sharma, remains adamant that Ashish is responsible for his daughter’s death. He alleged that Ashish had harassed Priyanka throughout their marriage, claiming that he had subjected her to both physical and emotional abuse. Satyanarayan even stated that Priyanka had previously filed a harassment complaint against Ashish at the local police station. He suggested that Ashish had been unfaithful and that this infidelity played a part in Priyanka's death. According to Priyanka's family, Ashish's actions were premeditated and driven by motives related to personal dissatisfaction and domestic tensions.
The investigation into Priyanka’s death is ongoing, and authorities in both Thailand and India are still gathering evidence. While Thai police have cleared Ashish to return to India after their initial inquiry, the accusations from Priyanka’s family remain serious and unresolved. The case has captured significant public attention, with both sides fiercely defending their positions. The emotional turmoil and mistrust between the two families continue to intensify, making it increasingly difficult to discern the truth behind the tragic events.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the controversy surrounding Priyanka’s death is likely to intensify, with more details and counterclaims coming to the fore. The situation reflects the broader complexities of family disputes, particularly when combined with international elements and allegations of financial extortion. With both Ashish and Priyanka's family seemingly entrenched in their accusations, the ultimate resolution of the case may require a careful, thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Priyanka’s death.
