Mumbai man asks cab to halt on sea link shouting snake bite, jumps off

MUMBAI: Amit Chopra, a 47-year-old imitation jeweller from Andheri West, ended his life by jumping off the Bandra-Worli Sea Link around 1am Wednesday. Chopra reached the sea link in a cab from his home and asked the driver to halt shouting a snake had bitten him, and ran out.

Bandra police said there is no clarity on why he took the extreme step. Fishermen discovered Chopra's body around 9am, and it was subsequently taken to Juhu Chowpatty, where Santacruz police were alerted and an accidental case was registered. Santacruz police handed over the case details to Bandra after obtaining a statement from Chopra's brother. "Chopra's family is in a state of shock. No suicide note has been found.

He hired the cab from his Andheri residence at 9pm on Tuesday and on reaching the sea link shouted that a snake had bitten him. The cab driver got frightened and stopped the vehicle. Immediately, Chopra ran out and jumped into the sea," a Bandra police officer said.The cab driver contacted the police control room. "Chopra left his sling bag and mobile phone in the cab. We have recovered both. The bag contained a few documents and his identity card, which enabled the police to contact his family.

The phone will be sent to the forensic laboratory to find a clue as to why he took the extreme step. His wife said he usually left home at night and returned after a while. However, this time he did not return and his phone was switched off.

The family then filed a missing complaint," the officer added. Chopra is survived by his wife and two daughters. His brother is in the same business. "The family said they have no debts and they were not aware if he was suffering from depression," the officer said.

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