Mumbai:
The Viveka Babajee 'suicide' case will now be reopened. The case had been shut, three weeks after her death on June 25. The 37-year-old model was found hanging in her Bandra apartment on June 25 this year.
Last week, MiD DAY carried a story on the model's forensic report which states that she possibly had a scuffle with someone prior to death. This finding was based on the human DNA found under Viveka's nails.
The police have now summoned the two suspects in the case stock analyst Gautam Vora and event manager Kartik Jobanputra, ex-boyfriends of Viveka to collect their DNA samples.
The police are also trying to establish the link, if any, between injury marks found on Viveka's right hand, neck and the forensic report evidence which indicates a scuffle could have taken place between Viveka and the person whose DNA was found.
"We want to see if there is a match between the DNA detected under Viveka's nails, and that of Vora and Jobanputra," said Senior Police Inspector Mangesh Pote of Khar police station.
"The forensic findings have created a new lead in the case and we are investigating this."
Senior officials said that if DNA samples match those of either Vora or Jobanputra, it could make for a strong case of abetment to suicide.
"The case is still pending; an inquiry is on," said Deputy Commissioner of Police KMM Prasanna, in charge of the zone in which Khar police station falls.
"To get the truth out, the police are expected to compare the available DNA report with the suspects' DNA. This may open up a fresh avenue for further investigation into their involvement," said lawyer Majeed Memon. "The police may even have to decide on charges to be levelled if circumstantial evidence and forensic reports are corroborated as abetment charges might even transform into charges of culpable homicide or murder."
Repeated phone calls and text messages to Gautam Vora went unanswered. When MiD DAY contacted his mother, Madhavi, all she said was, "No comments."
Kartik Jobanputra also did not reply to repeated phone calls and text messages sent by MiD DAY.
Gautam Vora (32), a stock analyst residing at Napean Sea Road, is the director of stockbroking firm ULJK Group.
Kartik Jobanputra (35), is the director of Apex Entertainment, an agency that organises lifestyle events and fashion shows.