Dubai Police: 'Case closed' in Sridevi's death

Dubai - After completion of all formalities, forensic department officials handed over Sridevi's body to the Kapoor family Tuesday afternoon

A shocking and dramatic turn of events that lasted for almost 68 hours, traumatising India's cinema royalty - the Kapoor family - came to an end in Dubai at 5pm on Tuesday. 
After her tragic, untimely death on Saturday, the actor's body was flown back to Mumbai, India, in a private jet that took off from the Dubai Airport Terminal 2 at 5pm on Tuesday. Her funeral will take place today at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai. 
After completion of all formalities, forensic department officials handed over Sridevi's body to the Kapoor family Tuesday afternoon. An Indian Consulate representative, accompanied by family members were escorted by four police patrol cars to transport the body from Qusais to the embalming unit in Muhaisana. Many police patrol cars were stationed around the area to prevent crowds from gathering. There was tight police security around the embalming unit in Muhaisana, after which the actor's body was taken to the airport.
In a sudden turn of events that brought much-needed relief to the distraught family, the Dubai Public Prosecution announced at 1pm that they have approved the release of Sridevi's body to her family. As Khaleej Times reported earlier, forensics reports also confirmed that there was no criminal intent in the case of her death, quashing other media reports that Boney Kapoor was questioned by the police as part of investigation procedures. 
"The forensic report showed her death was an accident and foul play has been ruled out so the case has been closed," a public prosecution source told Khaleej Times. The police also confirmed that her death was purely accidental as post-mortem and laboratory test reports showed that she was inebriated at the time of her death. She slipped, lost consciousness and fell into a bathtub full of water, stated the police.
An official statement tweeted by Dubai Media Office added: "The Public Prosecution has approved the release of the body following the completion of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of her death." 
As family members, fans and well-wishers faced gripping uncertainty for two days, Indian Consulate officials, the Dubai Police, and the Public Prosecution Department finally announced on that her body will be flown out. After the clearance from prosecution came through, her body was moved to the embalming unit in Muhaisana at 2.55pm. 
The Indian Consulate tweeted: "The 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." 
Meanwhile, Navdeep Singh Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, also tweeted: "After completion of all local processes, mortal remains of #Sridevi are now on en-route to Mumbai. Must acknowledge sterling efforts of CG Vipul and team @cgidubai (Indian Consulate). Thanks to the example set by Minister @SushmaSwaraj we quietly do the same for any Indians in distress. We care." 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 
amira@khaleejtimes.com

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