Bollywood legend Suraiya continues to make news more than a fortnight after her death.
The latest salvo has been fired by a woman who lived just four blocks away from Krishna Mahal, the building on Marine Drive, the celebrated Mumbai promenade, where Suraiya had lived since the age of four.
Haseena Shabir, a resident of Vishnu Mahal on 'D' Road at Churchgate, south Mumbai, told The Indian Express that she had seen blood on the film star's face and injuries to her leg when she had gone to Krishna Mahal to view the body.
She also alleged that Suraiya's solicitor Dimanth Thakkar's daughters carried some things away from the star's flat in plastic bags. Suraiya's hair was also cut to an inch of her scalp, she said, adding that she suspected foul play.
Suraiya lived on the ground floor of Krishna Mahal. On the fourth floor lives a woman named Sayeeda. Referring to Haseena's allegation, Sayeeda said, "Suraiyaji expired in hospital [the reputed Harkissondas hospital in Girgaum, south Mumbai]. This lady, I have never seen her before. She came home only after Suraiyaji's death.
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Sayeeda said she was the one who bathed Suraiya's corpse. "Her body was very nice. Her hair was the normal length. There was no blood anywhere. I remember removing her nail polish as that is not allowed in our religion. We never cut the hair. That woman is talking nonsense."
Sayeeda said Suraiya had spoken about a lot of jewellery, but she had never seen any. She said she had visited the star in hospital and also phoned her twice a day. "I feel hurt at this negative publicity," she said.
Referring to the dispute over Suraiya's properties, she said the actress never hurt a soul in her life and her property should be converted into a memorial.
Members of Thakkar's family said Suraiya would never have associated with someone like Haseena Shabir.
Thakkar's daughters admit taking plastic bags out of Suraiya's house, but said they were merely clearing the garbage that had collected in the house which was locked for six months when Suraiya lived with them at their flat in Walkeshwar, south Mumbai.
Efforts to get in touch with Haseena Shabir proved futile. Her house was locked, the building watchman hostile. "I cannot tell you when they will come back," he said, "nor can I give her your card. Come back later."
