Mumbai: Police question Actress Noor Malabika Das’s boyfriend

Noor Malabika Das; (right) Alok Nath Pathak, actor and friend, performed the last rites of Noor Malabika Das

The Oshiwara police investigating the suicide case of actress Noor Malabika Das have revealed that she was in a relationship with a gym owner from Lokhandwala. Both were planning to get married and had each other's names tattooed on their bodies. The police had to summon her boyfriend for interrogation to find out what led her to take such a drastic step.

Based on the information obtained from the family of the actress, the cops learned that her parents wanted her to get her married but she was in no hurry. She said that she would first think about her career and would consider marriage only after reaching a certain position in her profession. The All India Cine Workers Association is also in shock after hearing about the suicide. The president of the association Suresh Shyamlal Gupta wrote a letter (mid-day has a copy) to the Chief Minister and Mumbai police commissioner, appealing for a thorough investigation.

He stated in the letter, "Such tragic incidents within the Bollywood industry call for serious introspection and thorough investigation into the underlying causes. It is imperative to explore all possible factors, including the potential for foul play, to ensure that the truth is brought to light and justice is served. Das had contributed significantly to the Bollywood film industry, and her untimely death is a poignant reminder of the destructive trend of suicides within the Indian film fraternity."

Noor Malabika Mrinal Das, a resident of Narikhli village in Laxmibazar, North Karimganj, Assam, was the daughter of Rita Das, a retired assistant headmistress of Laxmibazar High School. Her elder sister Moushami Das is also a teacher in Guwahati. Her parents, who are senior citizens, have not yet been informed about her death. A couple of weeks ago, Das's parents along with her sister Moushami had joined her in the city. They had to leave for their native village in Assam because her elder sister Moushami's mother-in-law had taken ill. When the tragedy occurred Moushami was tending to her mother-in-law in a village near the Bangladesh border. Moushami had taken her parents with her as there was no one else to care for them. Thus they couldn't come to Mumbai to perform her last rites.

Moushami requested Alok

Nath Pathak, an actor, and friend of Das, to perform the last rites in their absence. Alok Nath performed her last rites as per the religious beliefs of Das's family.

The suicide

Noor Malabika Das, a former air hostess with Qatar Airways and an actress, allegedly committed suicide. Police recovered her body from her flat in Lokhandwala on June 6. Das is believed to have hanged herself from the bedroom fan. According to police sources, the incident came to light when neighbours reported a foul smell emanating from the flat, prompting them to inform the Oshiwara police. Upon breaking the door and entering the flat, police found Das's body hanging from the ceiling fan in a decomposed condition. The police collected medicines, her mobile phone and her diary during the search of the house. No suicide note has been found yet.