Forensics reveal tragic Sridevi’s cause of death
▶ Police have transferred the case to Dubai Public Prosecution to complete formalities
Bollywood actress Sridevi Kapoor died of accidental drowning in her hotel room bathtub while under the influence of alcohol, a forensic report revealed yesterday.
Traces of alcohol were found in the body of the actress, 54, who lost consciousness before drowning in her bathroom at Emirates Towers hotel in Dubai on Saturday night, the report said.
Dubai Police released the report to her family and an Indian consulate representative after completing the post-mortem examination the day before.
The case has now been transferred to Dubai Public Prosecution for legal action.
A certificate of no objection must now be obtained from prosecution before the body can be handed over to the film star’s family.
Police sources said investigations were still under way to determine the remaining circumstances related to her death as the forensic report only confirmed the cause of her death.
“In such situations, the case gets referred to the public prosecution to initiate an investigation and ensure that no crime has taken place,” said Hassan Elhais, a legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
“This is also to confirm that the death was actually due to natural causes or accidental,” Mr Elhais said. “The autopsy has already been carried out in the morgue.
“Once this is done there is no need for the body to remain there. The family of the deceased can obtain a letter from the prosecution because the case was referred to the prosecution.”
Although the post-mortem examination was completed on Sunday, the release of the body was delayed because police required further test reports.
Before the case was referred to public prosecution, the family and Indian officials had anticipated that the official death certificate would be issued by yesterday.
But according to procedure, once the police issue a no-objection certificate to Al Baraha Hospital, staff then release the official death certificate.
Other no-objection certificates are then addressed to the airport for transporting the body and to the mortuary for embalming.
“We are waiting clearance for the mortal remains to go for embalming,” said Mr Vipul, the Indian Consul General in Dubai. “We have been speaking to the Dubai Police and they are hopeful that mortal remains will be handed over soon.”
Sridevi, one of the Indian movie industry’s top actresses, was first suspected to have died of a massive cardiac arrest.
The movie star was staying at the hotel in Dubai with her family after attending a family wedding in Ras Al Khaimah.
Her husband, Boney Kapoor, their daughter Khushi and her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor are among relatives remaining in Dubai, waiting for her body to be handed over.
In Mumbai, hundreds of Sridevi’s fans gathered outside her home. Some left flowers, film posters and lit candles.
Sridevi’s friends and colleagues from the film industry visited the home of her brotherin-law and actor Anil Kapoor to express their condolence.s
The list of celebrities included actors Farhan Akhtar, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, choreographer Saroj Khan and designer Manish Malhotra.