SC dismisses plea for independent probe into Sridevi's death

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking an independent probe into the “suspicious circumstances” leading to the death of actor Sridevi in a Dubai hotel on February 24.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud rejected a plea by Sunil Singh, a film director, who contended that the actor who was 5 ft 7 inches tall could not have drowned in a 5 ft 1-inch long bath tub.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, contended that even if the Dubai police did not find any “foul play” in the matter, a probe could still be ordered under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"Judge B H Loya died in absolutely normal circumstances but it was wrongly called as died under suspicious circumstances but here there are suspicious circumstances,” he said.

The counsel also contended the deceased was a celebrity and her death may have got something to do with her insurance money.

The court, however, remained unimpressed. The bench said the actor had died outside India, so no probe can be ordered now. The Delhi High Court had earlier on May 9 declined to allow a similar plea by Singh.

The actor had died on February 24 due to accidental drowning in her hotel bathtub in Dubai.