A 56-year-old businessman from Ghatkopar tragically ended his life by jumping off the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Police suspect financial distress as a possible motive. The deceased made a video call to his son before the incident. Investigation ongoing.

MUMBAI: After making a video call to his 22-year-old son on WhatsApp to inform him that he intended to end his life by jumping off the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL), a 56-year-old Ghatkopar businessman switched off his cellphone and took the extreme step around 3.15pm on Wednesday. Police suspect the deceased, Bhavesh Seth, might have been in financial distress.His body was found after a three-hour search operation carried out by the fire brigade.
Bandra police said Seth requested a motorist at the BWSL toll plaza to drop him in south Mumbai, saying his car had broken down and he needed to reach his destination at the earliest.
“However, the deceased asked the motorist to stop on the sea link. He got out of the vehicle and then made a video call to his son, informing him that he was about to jump off the sea link,” said DCP (Zone IX) Raj Tilak Roshan.
The incident came to light after the deceased’s son approached Bandra police at 4.30pm to inform them about the tragedy. Police corroborated his account after examining the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the sea link and the toll plaza, which showed Seth getting into a car and alighting on the sea link.
“The motorist, after dropping Seth, kept driving on the southbound carriage, unaware that he had jumped off,” said a Bandra police officer. Police suspect Seth, who was in the business of trading ball bearings, might have been facing a financial crisis and may have been depressed.
“Seth’s son said his father had left their Ghatkopar home for his South Mumbai office without exhibiting any change in his behavior. He said the family was in shock,” the officer added. An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and police are conducting a further probe.
Last Nov, Parel’s Akash Singh (28), a banker, had similarly jumped off the sea link. Singh boarded a taxi at BKC for Parel. While crossing the sea link, Singh, who was on a call, claimed his phone had fallen out of the window. After the cabbie pulled over, he got out and jumped into the sea.
Suicide prevention helplines: MPower Mental Health Helpline 1800-120-820050. Vandrewala Foundation 9999666555. I-Call (TISS) 9152987821 (Monday-Saturday 10am- 8pm) Samaritans Mumbai 8422984528, 8422984529, 8422984530.