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Sridevi reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while she was in Dubai on 24 February. The English Vinglish actor was 54. Her body is being brought to Mumbai for the cremation. Family, friends and well-wishers are arriving at Anil Kapoor’s residence to pay their last respects.
According to reports, the mortal remains of the actor are expected to arrive in Mumbai this afternoon in a private jet arranged by Anil Ambani . The cremation is expected to take place after that.
Boney Kapoor’s spokesperson says the family requests privacy in this trying time.
According to Khaleej Times, Indian Consulate officials in Dubai has said the embalming process would be completed in the next three to four hours after the Police Clearance and forensic report and other procedures are taken care of. According to them, Sridevi's mortal remains would possibly be ready for repatriation by 1pm to 2pm, Dubai time (2.30pm-3.30pm in India).
Bereaved fans are gathering across the country to pay tribute to their favourite actor.
While there’s no clarity yet when Sridevi’s mortal remains would reach the city, Mumbai’s Pawan Hans Crematorium was fogged today to prepare for the actor’s last rites.
According to Khaleej Times, the forensics department are yet to submit blood test results to Dubai police for release of the actor's body. It is expected in the next couple of hours.
India’s leading cartoonists are paying tribute to the country’s first female superstar.
Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik too paid a tribute to the actor.
Actors, filmmakers and other members of the film industry continued to visit Anil Kapoor’s residence over the weekend to be with the Kapoor family who are dealing with the sudden and shocking demise of Sridevi. The actor’s body is expected to arrived in Mumbai on Monday following which the cremation will take place. Close friends of the Kapoor family - Tabu, Farhan Akhtar, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, David Dhawan, Shabana Azmi and others dropped in at Anil Kapoor’s home to offer their prayers and condolences to the family.
Filmmaker Karan Johar, who expressed shock and grief yesterday over Sridevi’s death, has taken to social media again to reflect on the tragedy.
Rajinikanth, who has acted with Sridevi in several films, is coming to Mumbai for the actor’s funeral.
He had expressed his shock over her death on social media.
Telugu star Venkatesh too was spotted at Anil Kapoor’s residence.
Producer Ekta Kapoor has shut down trolls suggesting that Sridevi’s sudden death was the result of cosmetic surgeries.
She had earlier expressed her grief on social media as well.
According to some reports, the autopsy procedure is still underway and that is the reason behind the delay. The actor’s mortal remains are expected to reach Mumbai around 7 pm.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia expressed grief at the sudden demise of Sridevi, saying the the country has lost one of the most talented female stars who mesmerised all with her acting skills. According to IANS, Raje in her condolence message said that Sridevi will always be remembered by the nation for her strong acting skills through which she earned new heights and brought fame to Indian cinema.
MP Jyotiraditya Scindia too took to Twitter to condole her death.
Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has cancelled her Holi party as a sign of respect to late actress Sridevi.
"Our Holi party at Janki Kurir stands cancelled on March 2 in the wake of Sridevi's passing away," Shabana tweeted on Monday.
Bollywood celebrities are arriving to condole with the family at Anil Kapoor’s house. Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra were just spotted there.
According to a report in Gulf Times, more delay can be expected in the repatriation of Sridevi’s mortal remains. Her post-mortem report was inconclusive, and hence Dubai’s forensic dept demanded a toxicology report. Further investigations will be done if the toxicology results are also inconclusive.
According to Khaleej Times, Dubai Forensic Department officials have confirmed that a second autopsy will not be conducted on Sridevi's body. However, there could be a delay in releasing blood test and autopsy results.
Officials have stated that it is very difficult to ascertain the exact time that Sridevi's body would be released to the family, as there are ongoing new developments in the case. The actor’s body is still in the morgue.
According to another report by Times of India, forensic doctors have confirmed that the actor’s death was the result of a heart attack.
According to Khaleej Times, an official from the Indian Consulate, accompanied by a family member, has been called inside the morgue.
Matters should be concluded by 2pm, the Indian Consulate official has confirmed to Khaleej Times. The consulate official has left the premises along with the relative, Saurabh Malhotra. They have been asked to return by 2pm (3.30pm in India).
Madhuri Dixit along with her husband Sriram Nene and politician Amar Singh reached Anil Kapoor’s residence to condole with the family.
According to Khaleej Times, death certificate for the late actor Sridevi might be issued soon. According to Gulf News, the forensic report has been sent to Bur Dubai police station.
“The nature of the case is leading to the delay in releasing Sridevi’s mortal remains from the morgue. The authorities want to cover all the bases,” said Amira of Khaleej Times.
“A private jet will take Sridevi’s body back to Mumbai,” Amira of Khaleej Times received a confirmation from the Indian Consulate.
According to a report in Gulf News, the Dubai Police’s forensic report has confirmed that Sridevi died due to accidental drowning. “Under the influence of alcohol, lost her balance. Fell into the bathtub and drowned,” reports Gulf News.
“Traces of alcohol found in Sridevi’s body,” the report also states.
According to Gulf News, the body has been moved to an embalming unit.
“The investigation is still going on to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident as the forensic report only says that she drowned,” an official told Gulf News.
A copy of the death certificate:
“Following the completion of post-mortem analysis, Dubai Police HQ today stated that the death of Indian actress Sridevi occurred due to drowning in her hotel apartment’s bathtub following loss of consciousness,” said the Dubai Media Office on Twitter.
A chief prosecutor told Gulf News: “In such accidental death incidents, the results of the post-mortem and forensic examination reports are referred to the Public Prosecution as part of ordinary law enforcement procedures. The papers are revised by the prosecutors of the jurisdiction where the incident happened. An official order to hand over the body of the deceased to the family or relatives is issued shortly after that.”
According to the Gulf News report, the chief prosecutor also said that, “In case of any suspicious foul play, prosecutors would carry out further detailed investigations and decide on any future law enforcement procedures accordingly”.
Sridevi’s body is yet to be released. The embalming process is underway. But Sridevi’s mortal remains will be released only after a nod from the prosecution magistrate.
“Our embassy and consulate are working closely with local authorities to expedite the return of mortal remains of Sridevi and also keeping Kapoor family apprised, it is our endeavor to send mortal remains at earliest,” Indian Envoy to UAE Navdeep Suri tells ANI.
Amar Singh, in a statement, said that Sridevi’s remains to reach India by midnight.
According to a report in Gulf News, India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri, who had earlier said that they received clearance to repatriate Sridevi’s mortal remains, has said that because of the “new development”, the repatriation process is now “open ended”.
According to a report in Khaleej Times, the embalming may take place on 27 February in Sonapur.
Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan visit Anil Kapoor’s residence to pay their respects and support the family in their time of grieving.
Sridevi's nephew Mohit Marwah, for whose wedding the actor was in Dubai, posted a heartfelt tribute for the late star on Instagram.
According to Khaleej Times, all media reports about late Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor being interrogated by Dubai police are baseless. As per standard police investigation procedures, Boney provided his testimony on Sunday morning. The conversation between police and the director took place when Sridevi’s body was discovered at Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel on the night of her death. He has however, not been called by the police for further interrogation after that.
The room, where the actor died, has been sealed and is under the control of Dubai police.
According to Gulf News on the other hand, Dubai Police called Boney to Bur Dubai police station for investigation. Police took his statement after which he was allowed to go back to his hotel room.
Even as B-Town dropped in to condole with the Kapoor family all through 26 February, heavy security has been deployed outside Anil Kapoor’s house.
According to Firstpost Dubai, the autopsy report has confirmed Sridevi’s time of death at 10.01 pm on 24 February.
There’s a gap of an hour-and-a-half between the time of death (according to the autopsy report) and the time it was reported.
The Indian ambassador to UAE, Navdeep Suri, has taken to Twitter to say that it might take two to three days to complete all processes.
Sridevi’s mortal remains are still in the mortuary in Dubai, according to Khaleej Times. Dubai Police has moved the case to Dubai Public Prosecutor and it needs clearance before being taken to the embalming unit in Muhaisna.
According to Khaleej Times, Indian Consulate officials and family members of Boney Kapoor and Sridevi are waiting to receive a clearance letter from the Dubai Public Prosecution.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, officials at Indian Consulate assured that there was no delay in the process. Considering the highly sensitive nature of the case, Dubai Police is leaving no stone unturned to help the family, said the official.
Consul General of India in Dubai, Vipul, confirmed to Gulf News that they are waiting for information about the clearance.
"We are still waiting for information from the Bur Dubai police station about the clearance. They will inform us when they receive it from the public prosecution," he said. Once the NOC (no objection certificate) for releasing the bodyis received, Sridevi's mortal remains would be taken for embalming in the Medical Fitness Centre in Muhaisanah.
Sridevi’s step-son Arjun Kapoor has reached Dubai to be with his father Boney Kapoor as the formalities get conducted there.
According to some media reports, a deep wound was found on Sridevi’s head, the cause of which is being investigated.
According to Asianet, Boney Kapoor has been questioned by the police again.
Dubai police has just given the Kapoor family the necessary letters for the release of the mortal remains of Sridevi. The actor’s body will be taken for embalming.
Khaleej Times reported that Indian Consulate officials and family members have arrived at the mortuary at the Dubai Police Headquarters to receive Sridevi's mortal remains.
An ambulance was seen waiting in the vicinity. Boney Kapoor's nephew Saurabh Malhotra is reportedly waiting outside the morgue to collect the body. The next steps would be the embalming process in the Medical Fitness Centre in Muhaisnah followed by repatriation.
The mortal remains were handed over to the family after three days of Sridevi’s death and her body has now been taken for embalming to the Medical Fitness Centre in Muhaisnah from the morgue.
The official Twitter handle of the Government of Dubai Media Office confirmed that the regular procedures were followed and completed satisfactorily. The case now stands closed following the completion of a comprehensive investigation.
Authorities confirm that she passed away after accidental drowning following loss of consciousness ruling out any foul play.
Sridevi’s mortal remains will soon be embalmed, three days after her death at Muhaisnah. The duration of the process is about 90 minutes.
With the embalming process complete, Sridevi’s mortal remains have left the embalming unit. Her husband Boney Kapoor and step-son Arjun Kapoor have accompanied Sridevi’s body.
With the conclusion of the embalming process and the death certificate handed over to the family, the remains are now being taken directly to the Dubai airport. They will be flown to India on a private jet.
Reports suggest that they are expected to arrive around 10.30 pm in Mumbai and will be taken to the Kapoor's residence in Andheri West. Boney Kapoor is accompanied by son, Arjun Kapoor.
The funeral and last rites will be held at Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery in Mumbai tomorrow, 28 February 3.30 pm onwards.
According to a report in Gulf News, a special chartered flight carrying Sridevi's body has taken off for Mumbai.
Boney, Sanjay and Arjun Kapoor are accompanying the body, reported ANI.
An ambulance has arrived at Mumbai airport to carry Sridevi’s mortal remains.
Anil Kapoor also arrives at the airport to carry Sridevi’s body.
Sonam and Anshula Kapoor also arrived at the Mumbai airport.
According to a report in India Today, Anil Ambani, whose Embraer aircraft is flying the mortal remains of the actor, has also reached the airport. Sridevi’s body would be taken to Boney Kapoor's residence.
Sridevi’s mortal remains on the way to her Lokhandwala residence from the Mumbai airport.
A private chartered ambulance arranged by Anil Ambai carried Sridevi’s mortal remains to her home in Lokhandwala.
Bollywood celebrities including Karan Johar, Sonam Kapoor, Maheep Kapoor, Anil Kapoor were among the first to arrive at the residence.
Sridevi, who ruled Indian cinema for around five decades, passed away from "accidental drowning" on 24 February in Dubai. Although the initial reports suggested her cause of death was cardiac arrest, forensic reports found that the actor drowned in her hotel room’s bathtub following a loss of consciousness.
Her mortal remains were released from Dubai after two days of investigation. Her last rites will be performed in Mumbai around 3:30 pm on 28 February.
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