Was Soundarya's 2004 death an accident? New allegations raise questions
What's the story
Telugu actor Mohan Babu is facing serious allegations in the tragic death of actor Soundarya in a 2004 plane crash.
A complaint filed in Andhra Pradesh's Khammam district alleges Soundarya's death wasn't accidental but a murder connected to a property dispute involving Babu.
The complainant, one Chittimallu, has accused Babu of pressuring Soundarya and her brother to sell six acres of land in Shamshabad.
Shocking claims
Allegations of property dispute emerged after Soundarya's death
Per News18 Kannada, the complainant has alleged that after the plane crash, Babu forcibly possessed the land Soundarya and her brother had refused to sell.
Chittimallu has urged the government to seize this land for public welfare and called for an investigation into Babu's actions.
The authorities are reportedly investigating the matter.
Crash details
Soundarya's tragic death in a plane crash
On April 17, 2004, Soundarya took a Cessna 180 aircraft from Jakkur airstrip near Bengaluru.
She was headed to Karimnagar for a BJP campaign, along with her brother Amarnath, BJP worker Ramesh Kadam, and pilot Joy Philips.
Sadly, minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost control and crashed into the University of Agricultural Sciences campus.
All passengers were reportedly burned beyond recognition in the fatal accident.
Career highlights
Soundarya's career and political involvement
Soundarya was a celebrated actor in Telugu cinema and also appeared in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam films.
She gained nationwide fame for starring in Sooryavansham opposite Amitabh Bachchan.
She won several awards including three Nandi and two Karnataka State Film Awards.
Her last film Apthamitra, which was released in 2004, earned her various posthumous accolades.
Apart from acting, Soundarya also dabbled in politics and was a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
National loss
Soundarya's untimely demise shocked the nation
The news of Soundarya's death had shocked the nation. Reports claimed she was in her 30s and pregnant when she died.
Political leaders and film stars were heartbroken at her untimely demise. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called it an "immense loss."