Incident, investigation and family concerns
A 42-year-old man, identified as Nimeshbhai Bhanderi, died after falling from the 12th floor of a residential tower on Gangotri Park Main Road in Rajkot on Monday night, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred within the limits of University police station, and the body was declared dead at the scene, the police said.
The University Police have registered the matter as an accidental death and said they have begun an investigation. A forensic team inspected the flat and the immediate spot, and police said they have seized the deceased's mobile phone, call records and the society's CCTV footage pending further inquiry. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), officials said.
Family calls death suspicious
Relatives of Bhanderi, who had been staying with a live-in partner at the Palm Universe Flats, called for a thorough and impartial probe, describing the death as suspicious and asking police to examine whether it was murder or suicide.
"We find this death suspicious. There must be a proper investigation to determine whether it was murder or suicide. We have submitted a written request to the police for a thorough probe. The person living with him should be questioned, and the flat's CCTV footage should be examined,"
The quoted remarks were attributed to Pareshbhai Sankhwada, the deceased's brother-in-law. Family members said Bhanderi was "mentally sound" and had no known disputes, arguing there was no reason for him to end his own life.
Police action and next steps
Police said they had recorded the statement of the live-in partner and that her role was being examined as part of routine investigation procedures. Authorities emphasised that the exact cause of death would be determined only after the post-mortem and the FSL reports were received, and that if any evidence pointing to homicide emerged a murder case would be registered.
- Location: Palm Universe Flats, Gangotri Park Main Road, University police station limits, Rajkot
- Victim: Nimeshbhai Bhanderi, 42 years old
- Incident: Fall from 12th floor; death on spot
- Police status: Case registered as accidental death; investigation ongoing
- Evidence seized: Mobile phone, call records, society CCTV footage; forensic inspection carried out
| Event | Action taken |
|---|---|
| Fall reported | Forensic team inspected spot; body sent for post-mortem |
| Initial registration | Accidental death registered by University Police |
| Evidence collection | Mobile phone, call logs and society CCTV seized |
| Statements recorded | Live-in partner's statement recorded; role under investigation |
Residents of the society and members of Bhanderi's family have urged that the CCTV footage of the building and the deceased's call records be examined in detail. They have also lodged a written request with police seeking a "proper investigation" to rule out foul play.
Police reiterated that the decision to upgrade the case to a murder investigation would depend on findings from the post-mortem and forensic reports. The FSL analysis and post-mortem are expected to provide medical and scientific clarity on the cause of death, which will guide further legal action.
Local context
High-rise residential complexes have grown in Rajkot over recent years, and cases involving falls or unexplained deaths draw particular attention from both residents and law enforcement because of the potential for accidental, suicidal or homicidal causes. For families and neighbours seeking immediate answers, forensic timelines — post-mortem and FSL reports — typically determine whether police file a murder case or close the matter as accidental death.
The University Police have taken standard investigative steps: scene inspection by a forensic team, seizure of electronic evidence and recording statements. The family's request for an impartial probe underscores the local demand for transparent handling in cases with contested circumstances.
Investigating officers said they will await the post-mortem and FSL findings before taking further procedural steps.
