Sridevi Death: Starting as a child actor at the age of 4, Sridevi had worked in 300 films. (File)
Three days after she died in Dubai, actor Sridevi's body was taken to her home tonight. Hundreds of fans gathered outside her house as an ambulance came from the airport, bringing her body. Her funeral will be held today at 3:30 pm, the actor's family said in a statement today. Her body was cleared by the authorities in Dubai for embalming before being flown to India. "...The case has now been closed," the Dubai government's media office tweeted. Sridevi's husband, filmmaker Boney Kapoor was called in for investigation on Tuesday and his statement was recorded, according to news agency Press Trust of India. Sridevi's forensic report, which was released on Monday, said she died of "accidental drowning". Her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor had earlier said that the actor died of a cardiac arrest. Sridevi's sudden death left her legions of fans and the film industry in shock.
Here are the Highlights:
Hundreds of fans were seen gathered outside the home of actor Sridevi as her body was brought from the airport in an ambulance.
An ambulance carrying the body of actor Sridevi goes to her home. Her body was brought from Dubai tonight.
A plane carrying superstar Sridevi's body has arrived at Mumbai tonight. Her funeral will be held today at 3:30 pm, the actor's family said in a statement.
A plane carrying actor Sridevi's body has left Dubai airport for Mumbai.
Actor Sridevi's funeral is at 3:30 pm today in Mumbai, the Bollywood icon's family said in a statement today.
The embalming certificate of actor Sridevi.
Embalming of Sridevi's mortal remains has been completed, and the body is being taken to Dubai airport, news agency ANI reported citing the UAE media.
"Dubai Public Prosecution stressed that all regular procedures followed in such cases have been completed. As per the forensic report, the death of the Indian actress (Sridevi) occurred due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. The case has now been closed," the Dubai government's media office tweeted.
Actor Sridevi's family has received clearance from Dubai police to take her body to the embalming unit in Muhaisna, UAE daily Khaleej Times reported.
Consulate General of India, Dubai, tweets: Dubai Police has handed over the Consulate and the family members letters for the release of the mortal remains of the Indian cinema icon Sridevi Boney Kapoor so that they can proceed for embalming.
Actor Arjun Kapoor left for Dubai, this morning, says Yash Raj Films' Public Relations Officer. "He has gone there to be with his father at the hotel while the formalities are being wrapped up and to oversee the return journey," the Yash Raj Films official said.
Dubai-based lawyer Anuradha Vobbilisetty said a medical panel has been formed to look into actor Sridevi's death.
Denying any delay in releasing Sridevi's body, Dubai-based lawyer Anuradha Vobbilisetty told NDTV, "Investigation is going on because here the public prosecution is from the investigation body and if they are not satisfied with the police investigation of forensic report, they have every right to redirect file to the police or re-examine the witnesses and some documents they want to verify.... The procedure is followed in all cases including celebrities... we should respect the law of land."
Visuals from Sridevi's birthplace in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi: ANI
A picture of Sridevi outside her home in Mumbai, heartbroken fans await for her body's arrival.
There could be some more delay in bringing actor Sridevi's body back to India, with the Dubai police telling the Indian Embassy that "another clearance" is awaited.
India's envoy to the United Arab Emirates Navdeep Suri told news agency PTI that the embassy is waiting for "another clearance" from the Dubai authorities for Sridevi's body to be released and flown back to Mumbai.
Dubai Police called in Boney Kapoor on Monday to Bur Dubai police station for investigation. Police took his statement after which he was allowed to go back to his hotel room, sources were quoted as saying by the Gulf News: PTI
Police outside Anil Kapoor's home in Mumbai as the family awaits Sridevi's body for the last rites.
Indian envoy to UAE Navdeep Suri said they were waiting for the "clearance" from Dubai authorities for the body to be flown back to Mumbai. The body was likely to be embalmed today, a media report said.
India's Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Suri, had tweeted this:
The media interest in untimely demise of #Sridevi is understandable. But the frenzy of speculation does not help. Imp to note that:
1. We are working with local authorities to ensure that mortal remains can be sent to India at the earliest. We are on the job.
2. We are in regular contact with the family of #Sridevi and other well- wishers. We share their pain.
3. Our experience in similar cases tells us that it does take 2-3 days to complete processes
4. We leave it to the experts to determine cause of demise
Let's be responsible
Sridevi "Accidentally Drowned", Body May Be Flown Today: 10 PointsVeteran actor Sridevi had "accidentally" drowned in the bathtub of the hotel where she was staying, the Dubai police said on Monday. As the case was transferred to the "Dubai Public Prosecution" for regular legal procedure, the police, according to a media report, called in Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor for questioning and his statement was recorded. Indian envoy in UAE Navdeep Suri has said they are waiting for "clearance". The body may be flown to Mumbai today. The sudden death of the 54-year-old, initially thought to be cardiac arrest, came as a shock to the film fraternity and fans.