Mumbai party murder: Injured teen died due to delayed treatment, say police

Teenager Jhanavi Kukreja, who was allegedly beaten to death by her ‘boyfriend’ and another woman during a New Year’s eve party in Mumbai, could have been saved had she been taken to the hospital in time, say investigators.

Police said the 19-year-old was profusely bleeding after her head was banged on the staircase railing by her “friends” Shree Jogdhankar and Diya Padankar.

The accused left Jhanavi to bleed and she got noticed only after over 1.5 hours. By the time the police team reached the spot, the girl had already lost a lot of blood. “She was soaked in blood. When we took her to a hospital, the doctors declared her dead on arrival… She had died on the spot. Surprisingly, no one came to her rescue,” a police official said.

The post-mortem has revealed scratches and injuries all over her body and private parts. Mark of a sharp object hitting her head has been found too. Police are waiting for a detailed report.

Police said that around 11pm on December 31, Jhanavi saw the accused — Shree and Diya — in a compromising position, on the terrace of Bhagwati heights in Khar where the party was organised. The three left the terrace and the fight continued on the staircase. Both the accused allegedly assaulted Jhanavi and she fought back, police said. Shree suffered injuries on his hand while Diya on the nose. Jhanavi was pulled by her hairs and her head was banged on the staircase railing at the second floor and pushed through the staircase, the police said.

The CCTV footage from the building showed Shree leaving the building alone with blood stains on his clothes. Diya left with someone else. Both have been arrested and sent in police custody till January 7.