Afternoon news

Mumbai, Jul 9: Dr Navin Hiranandani, elder brother of builder Niranjan Hiranandani, committed suicide at his Malabar Hill residence. The 66-year-old doctor is survived by his wife and only son Sanjay.

Police said Dr Navin ended his life by slashing his right arm using a surgical knife. The housemaid, Chhaya Wakode first noticed Dr Hiranandani’s body lying in a pool of blood in the bathroom, yesterday morning. The maid later informed the Malabar Hill Police.

Said Ishaq Bagban, Senior PI of Malabar Hill Police station, “We got information of Dr Navin’s death at around 8.30 am and we found a surgical knife on his bed. He ended his life by slashing his right arm with the knife. A trail of blood was seen from the bedroom to the bathroom. The bedroom and bathroom doors were open. The reason for the suicide is still unknown but we are investigating.”

The body was sent to JJ Hospital for a post-mortem. His body was cremated at Chandan Wadi crematorium in the presence of his family and friends.

Ruling out foul play in his brother’s death, Niranjan Hiranandani said, “There is no reason for his suicide. Police are doing their work and I will speak to the media tomorrow afternoon.” According to sources, Dr Navin was suffering from depression and was undergoing treatment since some time.

An ENT surgeon at Bombay Hospital since many years, Dr Navin Hiranandani was a shy but respectable man who had a very good reputation among colleagues. Said Dr Ashish Tiwari of Bombay Hospital, “We did not notice any change in his behaviour lately. In fact, we were unaware that he suffered from depression.”