Veteran Hindi cinema actor Navin Nischol was arrested on Friday night on the charge of abetting the suicide by his wife Geetanjali last week.

Navin's brother Praveen was also arrested on the same charge, police sources said.

Geetanjali Nischol, who hung herself at her house in Mahim, central Mumbai, on Saturday night, had held Navin and his elder brother Praveen responsible for her decision to end life, the sources said.

Navin's arrest followed his questioning by police for three hours at the Mahim police station on Friday. He replied to queries about his reported strained relationship with Geetanjali over the past few months, the sources said.

Navin, they said, had also issued a notice to his wife some time back, seeking an amicable divorce.

A suicide note left by Geetanjali alleged Navin had turned alcoholic and did not heed to her requests to give up drinking. Praveen had supported his brother on the issue, the lady had said.