Family of PC's dead assistant speaks up

It took us several hours to find the chawl, where the 41-year-old film industry fringe worker, who mysteriously died in a hotel room in the US, lived with his wife and two children.

Everyone in the neighbourhood knew Jiban Patra, who was a spot boy with Aishwarya Rai and Tabu at one point, and worked with Priyanka sometimes, but preferred to keep a low profile otherwise.

The kholi, in the Malwani area of Malad West, is a room with a curtain separating the kitchen from the bedroom. Jiban's two children – Karan (5) and Sonali (9) - are all smiles, ignorant of the full import of the tragedy. Minakshi, Jiban's bereaved wife, had a mental breakdown when she was told about her husband's death, and she was not in a position to face the reporter.

But we spoke to Jiban's brother-in-law (husband of Minakshi's elder sister) Hrushikesh Biswal, who has come down from Delhi to be with the family. Initially, Biswal was hesitant to talk about the tragic incident, saying that he had 'strict instructions' from Priyanka and her office not to speak to the media. But we pleaded with him, and he eventually opened up. Excerpts from our conversation with him:

• Priyanka Chopra's office has told the media that she has been in touch with Jiban's father and wife. Is that true?

Jiban's father died last year. They have been talking to me. His wife is in no condition to speak. Or even eat for that matter. She had a break down when she heard the news.

• But your phone was switched off for the last two days...

We have been strictly advised not to speak to the press. But I want to thank you for highlighting the case. I have already shared the Mirror article on Facebook.

• When did the family get to know about Jiban's death? Who called you?

A family friend, who lives in the US called on April 9 (Jiban's body was discovered on April 7). Probably his number was there as a local contact and that is why he was informed first.

• Has anyone from Priyanka's office been in touch with the family to complete the formalities involved in bringing back his mortal remains?

We spoke to Priyanka Chopra's office day before yesterday, when the Mirror article first appeared. Before that, I was really frustrated about the whole thing because there was no word about how the body would be brought home. We visited her office several times but nobody gave us any clear answer.

Suddenly, after the news broke out, we were informed that everything will be done. But all this has been on the phone, and nobody has bothered to come and see us yet. The declaration form is still with me, can you please help me fill it up? (He shows us a form that says the family will take responsibility of the mortal remains once it reaches India). We have been told that his body will be brought back soon. It has been moved from the mortuary. That's all.

• Jiban reportedly died of heart attack. Did he have any history of heart ailment?

He never had a history of any heart ailment. He was perfectly healthy. What did he tell his family before leaving for the US? He was quite excited as usual. But he had been travelling with the stars quite a bit.

• What kind of work did he actually do for the stars?

He used to work as a help and spot boy. He has previously worked for Tabu and Aishwarya.

• Did he travel often?

Yes. He travelled often.

• What are you, as a family, planning to do now?

We are completely at a loss. Apart from the fact that we know his body will eventually reach us, we are clueless. We want a post mortem done. We have not received any money from anyone so far. Jiban has two little children and a wife. He has sisters. The family has lost its only earning member.

Priyanka's spokesperson says:

Mirror got in touch with Priyanka's spokesperson, for their version of what really happened. Her team in Mumbai apparently got in touch with Jiban's wife on the night of April 8, but she "did not understand what we were trying to say," said the spokesperson.

A day later, someone from Kolkata called them to find out the details. The spokesperson admitted that "by mistake" they referred to one of their contact persons in India as "Jiban's father" who is dead. "We were told his wife was not in a position to speak so we spoke to her brother-in-law and another relative."

The spokesperson also corroborated our story that Priyanka's management was in constant touch with Jiban's family friend in LA, who, according to Biswal, broke the tragic news to the family in India. When asked why Priyanka was quiet about the incident till Mirror wrote about it, the spokesperson said: "She had been advised to remain silent by certain people in the US."

But there was no clarity on who these 'people' were. The spokesperson reiterated that Priyanka was doing "her best under the circumstances and going all out to bring back Jiban's mortal remains."