Post-mortem points at suicide

MUMBAI, April 24: After days of speculation that film producer Vijay Sippy, who fell to his death from his 17th-floor flat at the Napean Sea...

MUMBAI, April 24: After days of speculation that film producer Vijay Sippy, who fell to his death from his 17th-floor flat at the Napean Sea Road on April 18, could have been murdered, the pendulum today swung towards the suicide theory.

Police investigations have revealed that Sippy had run up debts to the tune of Rs 6 crore over the last two years. The post-mortem report, which was released on Friday evening, also indicates that he did not sustain any injuries before falling off from the window of his apartment.

Sippy8217;s debts were on the rise after failed ventures like the recent box-office debacle of his film Hamesha, starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol.His had also sunk in crores of rupees in television serials Buniyaad and Virudh, which he co-produced.

The police now theorise that the 55-year-old producer chose death as a final escape from the financial mess.

A senior police officer said that a close relative of Sippy had told the investigating team that the producer had demanded Rs 3 crore from himto repay his debts, but he refused.

The post-mortem report says Sippy died of multiple injuries due to fall from a height. There were no marks on the body indicating a struggle, nor did it have strangulation marks.

The report also notes a wound on Sippy8217;s posterior which indicates that Sippy was bitten by a stray animal. The police have sought expert opinion in this matter, sources added.

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A report on the viscera, either confirming or ruling out the presence of alcohol and poison, is awaited. The viscera have been sent for chemical analysis and results could take another week.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police zone II Param Bir Singh, said investigations into an extra-marital affair that Sippy was allegedly having would continue. His relationship with his stepson is also under scrutiny, added Singh.

Sippy8217;s maidservant, whose testimony is being scrutinised by the police, has said when she entered the room at 7 am on Saturday, she found that despite the air-conditioner being on, the windowswere wide open. Maya Sippy, the deceased8217;s wife, asked her to shut the windows and pull the curtains.

Sippy8217;s death came to light after the Malabar Hill Police received a call from a security guard about a body that was lying between Urvashi Apartment and Petit Hall at the Napean Sea Road. It was later identified by a family friend.