Bollywood actor and model Malaika Arora’s stepfather, Anil Mehta, sadly ended his life on the morning of September 11, 2024.He reportedly jumped from the sixth floor of his home at Ayesha Manor in Bandra (West), Mumbai. At the time, Malaika’s mother, Joyce Polycarp, was in the apartment and later provided her account of the events to the police.
In her statement, Joyce Polycarp described noticing her husband's slippers in the room but not finding him there. Shortly after, she heard the building's watchman yelling for help. When she looked from the balcony, she saw Anil lying on the ground, covered in blood. The police have taken Joyce’s statement and plan to interview Malaika, her sister Amrita, and other witnesses soon.
The initial autopsy found that Mehta died from multiple injuries, including serious head trauma. The police are still investigating and collecting statements from people close to the family.
Before his death, Anil had called his daughters Malaika and Amrita and expressed him being tired with his life.After this he switched off his phone. Malaika and Amritasaid in their statement that their father had called them and said "I am sick and tired".
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raj Tilak Roshan said," We are investigating all angles, and the body has been sent for postmortem. Prima facie, it appears to be suicide, but we are conducting a detailed investigation."
After her father's death, Malaika shared a statement expressing her family’s deep sadness saying, " 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 during this difficult time."
After Anil Mehta's tragic death, Salman Khan visited Malaika Arora's home on the evening of September 12, 2024, to offer his condolences. Dressed in dark clothing and accompanied by tight security, Salman entered the house to support Malaika and her family during this difficult time. His visit was well-received by fans, who praised his thoughtful gesture.
The Khan family has a long connection with Malaika Arora, who was married to Salman Khan's younger brother, Arbaaz Khan, for 19 years before they separated in 2016. Despite their split, Malaika still maintains a close relationship with the Khans. When news of her father’s death broke, Arbaaz was among the first to arrive at her home. He interacted with the police to help with formalities and provided much-needed support to Malaika during this challenging time.
On the day of the funeral, Malaika Arora and her son Arhaan arrived at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium for her father’s last rites. Bollywood stars Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and her ex-husband Arbaaz Khan were there to support her. Close friends like filmmaker Farah Khan also attended to pay their respects.