Once a top model and now begging on the streets, Geetanjali Nagpal’s is a riches-to-rags story.

Disowned by her family, the 32-year-old former model, a contemporary of the likes of Sushmita Sen, with her matted hair, soiled clothes and unwashed look, now presents a picture of utter poverty.

Geetanjali, who was found begging in a market in South Delhi by a photojournalist on Friday, is now under the care of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

According to doctors at VIMHANS Hospital — where she was taken by DCW Chairperson Barkha Singh — Geetanjali suffers from psychosis and needs to be hospitalised.

There was, however, some drama outside the hospital as Geetanjali refused to leave the car and go inside for a check-up.

The VIMHANS doctors then spoke with her for some time before concluding that she suffered from psychosis.
Geetanjali, who got irritated with the intense media attention, snapped at the mediapersons and shouted at the photographers who clicked her pictures.

Daughter of a Navy officer, Geetanjali is convent-educated and graduated from the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College.

She left home in 1990 and took up modelling. But her career failed to take off. She went to Nepal with her boyfriend, but things did not work, and she then went to Goa, where she got close to a Britisher.

She came back to Delhi and lived with him in Paharganj area of the city. Some time later though, her foreigner boyfriend went back and ever since she has been on the streets.

Her neighbours in Lajpat Nagar area of the city said they did not know her. They said they only knew her parents and her sister.

Geetanjali’s story has left the fashion fraternity shocked.