Live-in couple found dead in flat

The Andheri building where the decomposed bodies of the couple were found in a flat

The MIDC police late on Friday night recovered highly decomposed bodies of a live-in couple from a rented apartment in Andheri (east).

The police is suspecting it to be a case of suicide and awaiting autopsy reports to confirm the exact cause of death. A suicide note was also found from the deceased woman stating that they were committing suicide as her partner’s family opposed their marriage.

The incident came to light after the neighbours alerted the police about the foul smell coming from the couple’s flat.

Khyati Harilal Gohil and Vivek Gupta, both 35 years old, had been living together in a 1 RK flat on the third floor of Dhanlaxmi Society in PMGP Colony, Andheri (east), for the last three years. While it was found that Khyati was a nurse in a city hospital, the only information the police could get about Vivek was that he hailed from Haryana. They are searching the flat for contact details of Vivek’s family.

“We have found one document in Vivek’s name, that is dated 2006 and has the address of a house in Andheri (east). We are still trying to ascertain his background and family details,” said an officer.

“After receiving a call from the neighbours, we arrived at the flat and forced open the door. We found two bodies in the bed,” said Shailesh Pasalwad, senior police inspector, MIDC police station. Police suspect that the couple took the extreme step five-six day ago. Surprisingly, the safety door was locked from the outside.

“The bodies had drips passing through their wrists. Empty syringes were also found in the room. We suspect that a lethal medicine was injected,” said a police source, adding that the bodies had bloated up and insects were crawling all over.

The police added that Khyati was living in the flat, belonging to an advocate, since the last four years. Before this, she used to live with her father and brother in Vasai. She moved out of her Vasai home citing inconvenience in commuting to her office in Mumbai Central.

“After recovering her body, we informed Khyati’s father, who rushed to the spot and identified her. He also identified the handwriting on the suicide note as Khyati’s,” said a police officer.

According to the officer, Khyati’s suicide note, written in Hindi, read: “This is my last letter to you papa. We are facing opposition from Vivek’s family for our marriage, because of which we are ending our lives.”

As per their neighbours, the couple were quiet and kept mostly to themselves. “The safety door was locked from outside. One of them had probably put his/her hand out of the door grills and locked it. After this, they must have shut the door inside,” said Manmohan Singh, a neighbour.

“While Khyati was living here since four years, Vivek moved in with her three years ago. He had submitted a letter to the owner and the building introducing himself as her cousin and informed that they will be sharing the flat,” said another neighbour.

The police said that the process of recording the statement of Khyati’s father is on. “Khyati’s father said that although she stayed away, she would visit them often. When asked about Vivek, he said she never mentioned about him to them,” said an officer.