Even as Priyanka Chopra's team swung into action after TOI's report on the impasse over the mortal remains of her assistant Jiban Patra, it emerges that the actress may have a certain YRF scion to thank for getting out of the imbroglio. PeeCee reached the city on Tuesday morning and responded swiftly to the allegations of indifference and tardiness made by various communities in the US after reports surfaced of Patra's remains stuck in a mortuary for lack of funds and logistical support.
TOI has learnt that Priyanka, who on April 7 found herself in a legal muddle over the 'mysterious and unnatural' death of Patra in his hotel room, called up the one person she has not been in touch with ever since the debacle of Pyaar Impossible in 2010. Uday, who spends most of his time in Los Angeles these days, got a call from a hysterical Priyanka, who briefed him about her predicament. Uday told Priyanka to calm down and assured her that he will look into the matter. A few minutes later he called her again and told her that his personal attorney will take up the case.
And it was only after Uday's lawyer, Arnold P Peter, who handles cases related to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, swung into action, that Priyanka was allowed to plan her return to India. Meanwhile... Back home, she offers help to Jiban's kin. The star's manager Natasha Pal assured the media that mortal remains of Jiban Patra will be bought back to Mumbai this week. Answering specific questions mailed by TOI, she said: "Mr Patra's remains are expected to arrive in India this week. The process of repatriation is underway as we speak." She also added that the financial commitments for the repatriation of the body has been fulfilled by Priyanka.
"Priyanka has spoken to the family of the deceased as well," she said. According to sources, the actress was not familiar with Jiban's family, as he was often hired as a 'replacement helper' and that caused delays in obtaining their permission for the process. "She has spoken to Jiban's father and he said it was in the best interest of his grieving daughter-in-law that Priyanka keep quiet about Jiban's death," said the source, explaining why the actress never uttered a word about Jiban's death until our reports. "Priyanka stayed back till she could, but had to leave eventually because she had a shoot here. Besides, the NOC had finally come through and she did not have much to do thereafter," said the source.
Asked why she did not stay back till Jiban's remains were transported and the paperwork completed, her friend said, "The process was being taken care of by a legal firm, who assured her that her presence was not critical." However, the communities in the US who had taken the up Patra's cause ever since his death, are hinting that the actress and her team may have returned all too quietly. "We are unable to understand why Natasha Pal, her manager left US without informing us.
In her conversations with OSA's president and TANA's president (Telugu Association of North America), she had assured them separately that once the NOC is received they will claim the body and send it to India," said the treasurer of OSA, Sushant Satpathy in an email interaction with TOI, adding, "We did not expect this kind of non-cooperation from Priyanka when we are only trying to help." Priyanka's team maintains that she was not obliged to be in touch with the voluntary associations, since she was dealing with the Coroner's office and the legal firm directly. Priyanka arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday and in a reaction to the TOI (dated 15/4/13) released an official statement expressing her grief over the demise of her staff.
