Actor-model Shefali Jariwala, whose breakout came in the hit 2002 remix Kaanta Laga, died on June 27 at the age of 42. Her unexpected death left the film industry stunned.
Shefali was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 15. She went on to act in movies such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and reality shows like Bigg Boss 13, Nach Baliye 5, and Nach Baliye 7, where she appeared with husband and actor Parag Tyagi.
Rushed to Hospital, Declared Dead on Arrival
On Friday evening, Parag Tyagi rushed Shefali to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in the suburbs of Mumbai.
“She was admitted to the hospital at around 11:15 pm (Friday). The resident doctor pronounced her dead on arrival,” a hospital official informed the media.
The reports mentioned cardiac arrest as the reason for death, but medical examiners have not made this official yet.
Preliminary Report Suggests Cardiac Arrest and Low BP
The preliminary reports of the medical examination indicate that Shefali could have died due to “low blood pressure, cardiac arrest and heavy gastric condition.
Amboli Police confirmed that the postmortem, which was done at Cooper Hospital, was videographed and results are awaited by Monday, June 30. A police officer said that preliminary investigation indicates that it was a natural death and “there was no foul play.”
Anti-Ageing Drugs and Fasting Under Scrutiny
Authorities are investigating the possible link between Shefali’s long-term self-medication and her sudden collapse. A team of five doctors is examining whether her epilepsy condition, food poisoning, or the medications she consumed triggered cardiac arrest.
Mumbai Police revealed that Shefali had consumed stale fried rice while fasting for a religious puja and had taken anti-ageing injections without recent medical supervision.
In a raid at her home, Vitamin C, acidity tablets, and glutathione — an ingredient that is popularly used for skin whiteness and detox — were discovered by police and forensic officials.
Potential Danger of Long-Term Self-Treatment
According to a source, “There was a puja in the house on June 27, because of which Shefali was on a fast. In spite of this, she got an injection of anti-ageing medication on the same day’s afternoon.
The insider further said, “These drugs were prescribed to her by a doctor years ago, and she has been consuming this medication monthly since then. In the police inquiry till now, it has emerged that these drugs might be the primary cause of cardiac arrest.”
Postmortem Results Awaited
As the probe goes on, authorities await the final post-mortem report to determine the definitive cause of death. While her death is mourned by the entertainment world, the immediate cause of her sudden death has generated suspicion regarding self-medication and health monitoring.
