Actor Shefali Jariwala, who shot to fame with her appearance in the 'Kaanta Laga' track, consumed her anti-ageing drugs despite observing a fast due to a puja at her home on June 27. It is believed to have led to a drop in her blood pressure, causing her to collapse. She was then rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
An autopsy has been conducted, and the viscera has been sent for further analysis. While the cause of her death remains unclear, authorities suspect potential cardiac arrest triggered by the combination of fasting and medication.
Police sources have told India Today the timeline of events leading up to her death.
On June 27, Shefali Jariwala held a Satyanarayan puja at her home and observed a day-long fast. Despite observing a fast, she took her anti-ageing medications and also a vial of Glutathione injection.
Glutathione is often marketed as a skin-brightening and detoxifying agent. It's naturally produced by the body. However, the craze for youthful skin has led many to opt for high-dose intravenous (IV) infusions of glutathione, often without proper medical supervision.
Shefali Jariwala was also consuming multivitamins and using collagen supplements for a glowing skin, according to police officials.
Around 10:30 pm on June 27, Shefali collapsed at her residence. She was then rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Andheri West, where doctors declared her dead and advised the family to transfer her body to Cooper Hospital.
The Amboli police station was notified between 11:15 and 11:30 pm.
The police team arrived at Cooper Hospital by 11:45 pm.
On June 28, an autopsy was conducted by a team of government doctors, and the procedure was video-recorded, as per protocol.
The viscera has been preserved and sent for analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina, Mumbai, in order to determine the exact cause of death.
Doctors suspect fasting, combined with the medication, may have caused a significant drop in her blood pressure, leading to a cardiac arrest. The post-mortem report is still awaited. It is expected to take two to three days, while the viscera analysis could take up to 50 to 90 days.
Police have recorded statements from Shefali's husband, Parag Tyagi, other family members, domestic staff, and close friends. No one has reported any suspicion of foul play or unnatural causes of death.
The incident has been registered as an accidental death at Amboli Police Station.
Forensic teams found two boxes of anti-ageing medication, over-the-counter supplements, and Glutathione vials at her home.
