Actor and model Shefali Jariwala was found dead at her apartment in Mumbai on Friday night, triggering a police investigation and forensic inquiry. The 42-year-old, known for her breakout performance in the hit music video Kaanta Laga, was rushed to Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital by her husband Parag Tyagi and others, where doctors declared her brought dead.
Cause of Death Unclear
While some early reports speculated that Shefali died of a cardiac arrest, there is no official confirmation. Mumbai Police have stated that the exact cause of death remains unclear and that a postmortem report is awaited.
Police and Forensic Teams Visit Residence
A mobile forensic unit and a team from Mumbai Police arrived at her residence in Golden Rays-Y building in Andheri on Saturday morning, where they inspected the apartment. Officials also later visited Cooper Hospital, where Shefali’s body was sent for autopsy, according to PTI.
Security Guard Offers Key Timeline on Events
The security guard, identified as Shatrughan, shared his recollection of the night with NDTV, offering some insight into the timeline. He said Shefali was taken to the hospital around 10:30 pm, more than an hour after her husband returned home on a motorcycle. “I opened the gate when Parag arrived,” he added, noting that he had seen the couple walking with their dog the previous evening.
Hospital Confirms Shefali Was Brought Dead
Contrary to earlier suggestions that emergency care was administered, hospital staff told PTI that Shefali was already dead when she arrived around 11:15 pm. The on-duty doctor declared her dead on arrival. A receptionist also confirmed that she had no signs of life upon admission.
Husband Parag Tyagi Seen Distressed at Hospital
Shefali’s husband Parag Tyagi, a television actor, was seen leaving the hospital in a visibly distraught state. In viral videos, he covered his face partially as he sat in a car. He was later seen walking in their housing compound with the couple’s pet dog.
Who Was Shefali Jariwala?
Shefali Jariwala rose to fame at the age of 20 with the 2002 chartbuster Kaanta Laga. She went on to appear in various TV shows and reality series, including Bigg Boss Season 13. Her last post on X (formerly Twitter), made in September 2024, was a tribute to Sidharth Shukla, her ex-boyfriend and fellow Bigg Boss contestant, on the third anniversary of his death.
“Shefali Jariwala’s body was found in her home,” police confirmed, while ruling out any speculation until medical results are confirmed.