Popular writer Amrita Pritam's son dead; mystery remains

Mumbai, Sept 15: Son of popular writer Amrita Pritam has been found dead in his Mumbai home. The 65 year old photographer, Navraj Kwatra was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his LIC Colony in Borivli (West), Mumbai. He used his flat as a photo studio as well.

DCP Mahesh Patil has been quoted as saying, "Though Kwatra lived at Andheri, he used to often come to his studio in Wilderness Apartments in Borivlis LIC Colony." Initial reports suggest that Kwatra might have strangled or smothered to death.

As per reports neighbours saw two men entering Navraj Kwatra's residence at around 12:30 pm. After a while, they heard a sharp shriek and was not sure where it came from. They rushed to the upper floors and later relaized that the sound came from Kwatra's studio on the ground floor. They rang his door bell that was unanswered.

Patil said, "They rushed down and found that the studio was locked from inside. They knocked several times, but did not get any response. So they tried to peep from the window and suddenly, two people opened the door and ran away from the house."

He added, "The neighbours then went inside the house and found Kwatra dead. His face was covered with a piece of cloth and his hands and legs were tied with rope." He was immediately rushed to the Bhagwati Hospital. "We are preparing sketches of both suspects with the help of eyewitnesses. Preliminary investigation revealed that Kwatra was strangled to death, as injury marks were found on his neck," added Patil.

Murder charges have been registered against unknown persons. Kwatra's wife lives in Delhi, while his daughter is married and is presently in Thailand.

According to a police officer at the MHB police station, "Some old enmity may have led to his murder, but it is too early to say anything. We have informed his family members and are waiting for them to arrive. Only after their statements can we come to any conclusion. We checked the house and found two empty gift boxes, but it is not clear who brought them."

OneIndia News