Mumbai:In a tragic turn of events, Anil Mehta, the stepfather of actor-model Malaika Arora, reportedly took his own life in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. According to a police official, Mehta, aged 62, was found dead in the premises of Ayesha Manor, the upscale Almeida Park area of Bandra, where he resided with his wife, around 9 am. At the time of the incident, Malaika Arora was in Pune.
Later, Mehta’s family, including Malaika Arora, her mother Joyce, and her sister Amrita, released a joint statement expressing their profound shock at his passing. The statement read, "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. And we kindly request privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support and respect."
The Bandra police team arrived at the scene promptly and transported Mehta to a hospital, where he was declared dead before arrival. Before his death, Mehta had reportedly contacted Malaika and Amrita, expressing that he was "sick and tired," although further details were not provided.
At the time of the incident, Malaika Arora’s mother was present in their sixth-floor flat. The exact reasons behind Mehta’s actions are still unclear. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Raj Tilak Roushan indicated that, on the surface, the case appears to be a suicide. He mentioned that the police are investigating the incident thoroughly and adhering to standard operating procedures.