Renowned astrologer Bejan Daruwalla passes away at 88

Bejan Daruwalla, the renowned astrologer, passed away at a private hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday (May 29) evening. He was 88. The Apollo Hospital in the city confirmed that Daruwalla died during treatment.

His son Nastur Daruwalla denied the social media rumours that his father had contracted coronavirus. He said his father was suffering only from pneumonia. However, his name had featured in the list of COVID-19 patients released by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, reported the Times of India.

Daruwalla was known for his newspaper columns on astrology, and had been associated with several newspapers and news channels in his career. He was also an professor of English in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani condoled his death saying, “Saddened by the demise of renowned Astrologer Shri Bejan Daruwalla. I pray for the departed soul. My condolences. Om Shanti…”

News reports suggest that Daruwalla had in the second week of April predicted that the COVID-19 disease was expected to go away after May 21. In a video posted on an online platform, he had said normalcy could return to the world after May.

(With inputs from agencies)