New Delhi: Controversy has erupted over the death of actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik, days after his passing away, with the wife of Delhi businessman Vikas Malu accusing her husband of foul play. Kaushik, 66, died early Thursday, hours after a Holi party at Malu’s farmhouse.
On Saturday, Malu’s wife, Saanvi Malu, sent a complaint to Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora, alleging that the businessman had disclosed his “conspiracy to murder Satish Kaushik” because of the Rs 15 crore he owed the deceased. Malu is a director of the Kuber Group which has businesses in hospitality and FMCG industries. ThePrint has a copy of the complaint.
“I fully suspect that Vikas Malu, in connivance with his other accomplices, conspired and murdered Satish Kaushik by using the drugs at his farmhouse, so that he does not have to return (the) Rs 15 crore to Satish Kaushik,” Saanvi has alleged.
Delhi Police officers confirmed Saanvi’s complaint has been received.
“We have received a complaint and an inquiry has been initiated into the allegations of foul play by the wife of Vikas Malu. She has been called by the police to record her statement,” a senior officer told ThePrint.
Police have said there was nothing suspicious “so far” about Kaushik’s death. Police sources also rejected media reports that hinted at the presence of “objectionable medicines” at the party venue.
On his part, Malu has said on social media that his name has been used “in the wrong light”.
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‘Plot to kill’
According to Saanvi, Kaushik visited their home in Dubai in March last year, demanding the money he had purportedly given to Malu for investment. “Now neither there is any investment nor he is returning the principal amount for the past two years and Vikas has cheated him,” read Saanvi’s complaint.
Though that night Malu promised to return the money soon, he allegedly told Saanvi later, “Rs 15 crore de rakhe hain jo corona mein doob gaye (His Rs 15 crore were lost during Covid period).” She also mentioned Malu’s “conspiracy” to kill Kaushik with an “overdose” of “Blue Pills”.
A day later, according to Saanvi, Kaushik again demanded his money. Saanvi has alleged that this angered Malu and he told Kaushik that he had lost the money, but would return it once he was back in India. He also allegedly told Kaushik not to make a lot of noise (about it).
Later that night, according to Saanvi, Malu told her, “Satish Kaushik ka jaldi intezaam karna padega, warna ye chup nahi hoga (Something needs to be done about Satish Kaushik, otherwise he will not keep quiet).”
Saanvi has earlier also reportedly accused Malu of raping her.
‘No foul play’
According to the police, however, the probe so far has not revealed anything to arouse suspicion in the actor-director’s death.
In a statement Saturday, additional deputy commissioner of police, South West district, New Delhi, Rajeev Kumar said, “During the enquiry conducted so far, nothing suspicious or foul play came on record. However, the police proceedings under section 174 CrPC are going on.” (Section 174 pertains to cases of unnatural death.)
According to the police, Kaushik played Holi during the day at “friend” Vikas Malu’s Delhi home. “No party was held in the evening/night,” said Kumar.
He added: “At about 12 midnight, he called for his manager Santosh Rai as he was staying in the adjoining room, and complained about uneasiness and chest pain.”
Kaushik was rushed to Fortis hospital, Gurugram, where he was declared dead on arrival, said Kumar.
The postmortem report shows that the preliminary cause of death is cardiac arrest caused by coronary artery blockage associated with coronary artery disease and the manner of death appears to be natural, Kumar further said.
No suspicious medicines
While some media reports had suggested that “objectionable medicines” were found at Malu’s farmhouse where the party took place. The police have, however, rejected these reports.
“No suspicious medicines were found in the house. Medicines related to sugar, blood pressure, and digestion were found from the house,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.
On Saturday, Malu took to social media and wrote on Instagram, “Satish ji has been my family for the past 30 years and it did not take minutes for the world to use my name in the wrong light. I can’t fathom the tragedy that happened after our beautiful celebration together. I’d like to break the silence and say that a tragedy is always unforeseen and no one has any power over it.”
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
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