Mala Ashok Ankola, the 77-year-old mother of former India fast bowler Salil Ankola, was found dead in her flat in Pune on Friday afternoon. Her body was discovered with her throat slit in the Deccan Gymkhana area on Prabhat Road. According to the police, initial observations suggest that the injuries may have been self-inflicted.
The tragic incident came to light after the family’s maid arrived at the flat and found the door unanswered. Upon entering, she discovered Mala Ankola lying with serious injuries and immediately informed the family. Police officials were subsequently called to the scene.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Sandip Singh Gill provided an update on the case, stating that the circumstances surrounding the death are still under investigation. “When the door was opened, the woman was found dead with her throat slit. Prima facie, it looks like the injuries are self-inflicted. However, we are probing the case from all angles,” Gill said. He also noted that the deceased had been suffering from a mental health condition.
Mala Ankola was taken to a nearby private hospital where she was declared dead. For now, the police have registered an accidental death case while further investigations continue to determine the exact cause of her death.
Om Shanti.
