DUBAI: Legendary actor Sridevi’s body is currently on its way to the airport, where billionaire Anil Ambani’s private plane will fly her and her family to Mumbai, where her funeral is scheduled to take place.
Investigations regarding the death of the “first female superstar of India” were concluded by the Dubai Public Prosecution on Tuesday afternoon after which the body had been released from the mortuary and sent for the embalming process.
Sridevi’s stepson and Boney Kapoor’s son from her first marriage, Arjun Kapoor, had also arrived in Dubai, early on Tuesday to facilitate his father with the investigation process and bring back the mortal remains of the late actress. Sridevi’s younger daughter Khushi Kapoor was also present in Dubai at the time of her mother’s death, while her elder daughter Jhanvi Kapoor was in Mumbai.
According to reports, Sridevi passed away on Saturday night and the overall investigation into her death began early Sunday morning, Her body was first at the General Department of Forensic Evidence, Dubai, since 2.30 am, on Sunday, after which it was shifted to the morgue.
The case was initially dealt with by the Dubai police, after which it was referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution, who carried out the necessary procedure before declaring that the case was closed.
Earlier, the Dubai Media Office tweeted, “Dubai police assert that the case file was forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Dubai to take the necessary legal action in accordance with such cases.”
Officials at Indian Consulate assured that the Dubai Police were following a usual protocol and not delaying the process. They need to be 100 percent sure before handing over the body to the family. Considering the highly sensitive nature of the case, Dubai Police is leaving no stone unturned to help the family, said the official.
The latest tweet by the Dubai Media Office read, “Dubai Public Prosecution stressed that all regular procedures followed in such cases have been completed. As per the forensic report, the death of the Indian actress occurred due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. The case has now been closed.”
Dubai Public Prosecution stressed that all regular procedures followed in such cases have been completed. As per the forensic report, the death of the Indian actress occurred due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. The case has now been closed.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 27, 2018
The Dubai Police also recorded the statement of Sridevi’s producer husband Boney Kapoor at the time of the incident. Sources told Gulf News that the film-maker was called to the Bur Dubai police station for questioning. The police took his statement after which he was allowed to return to his hotel.
On Saturday evening, Sridevi drowned in the bathtub of room number 2201 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel here.
Meanwhile, sources also informed that the laboratory results revealed she had consumed alcohol and was in an inebriated state when she slipped and fell into the bathtub that was filled with water.
The police said that there was no clear criminal motive with regard to her death, neither did she suffer a cardiac arrest like how it was reported earlier.
Her death certificate, issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Preventive Medicine Department also stated that her death was due to accidental drowning.
A formal medical committee, under the supervision of senior police officials, is supervising the investigation.
Also, Consul-General of India Vipul stated that the Indian Consulate in Dubai is continuing to wait and hope that all procedures towards the repatriation of Sridevi’s body would complete as soon as possible.
