Malaika Arora's father Anil Mehta's last words were "I am sick and tired"

Anil Mehta, the father of actor-model Malaika Arora, was found dead in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. According to a police official, Mehta, 62, reportedly ended his life by jumping from the sixth floor of the residential building "Ayesha Manor" in the upscale Bandra locality.

The incident occurred around 9 am, while Malaika Arora was in Pune at the time. Anil Mehta’s family, including Malaika Arora, her mother Joyce, and her sister Amrita, released a joint statement expressing their profound grief.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear father, Anil Mehta. He was a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband, and our best friend. Our family is in deep shock by this loss. We kindly request privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support, and respect," the statement read. This message was shared on Arora's official Instagram page.

Immediately following the fall, a police team from Bandra rushed to the scene and rushed Anil Mehta to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. According to the police official, Anil Mehta had called both Malaika and Amrita shortly before his death, expressing that he was “sick and tired.” The official did not provide further details regarding his state of mind or the reasons behind his distress.

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At the time of the incident, Joyce, Anil Mehta’s estranged wife, was reportedly inside their flat on the sixth floor. The exact circumstances leading to Anil Mehta's death remain unclear.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Raj Tilak Roushan stated that the preliminary assessment points to suicide. "It appears to be a suicide case based on the initial investigation. We are following the standard operating procedures for such cases. A thorough investigation will be conducted to explore all possible angles," DCP Roushan said.

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The police have since been involved in various investigative actions, including recording statements from Anil Mehta’s relatives and residents of the building. They conducted a 'panchnama', a formal inspection of the scene, collected evidence, and reviewed CCTV footage from the premises. An autopsy is currently underway to determine the exact cause of death.

There have been conflicting reports about the nature of the incident. A source close to the family suggested that Anil Mehta’s death might have been accidental rather than intentional. “He has not committed suicide; it’s an accident. The family is shocked because he had no known ailments or significant issues,” the source said.

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The last rites for Anil Mehta took place at a crematorium in Santacruz on Thursday morning at around 11 am. Following the news of his death, several prominent figures, including Malaika Arora’s former husband Arbaaz Khan, visited the residence. Arbaaz Khan, who is also an actor and producer, was accompanied by his parents, Salim and Salma Khan, and his brother Sohail. Malaika’s son Arhaan Khan, her former boyfriend actor Arjun Kapoor, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani also visited the family home.

Other notable visitors included Arbaaz Khan’s stepmother Helen, his sister Alvira Agnihotri, Sohail Khan’s former wife Seema Sajdeh, and actors Kim Sharma and Shibani Dandekar.

As the investigation continues, the family remains in mourning, requesting privacy during this challenging period. (With PTI inputs)