Case filed, 2 persons questioned over Indian singer KK’s death

Indian police registered a case of unnatural death and questioned two persons in connection with the demise of popular singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, better known to fans as KK.

The case has been lodged by the Kolkata police with New Market Police Station of central Kolkata under whose jurisdiction falls the five-star hotel where KK returned to after falling ill during his concert at Nazrul Mancha on May 31 night, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting a senior police official.

"We have started an investigation into singer KK's death and a case of unnatural death has been registered with the New Market Police Station. We are talking to the hotel authorities and scrutinising CCTV footage to understand what had happened before he was taken to the hospital," the police officer said, adding that two persons have been questioned in connection with the case.

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An initial probe has brought out that the 53-year-old Delhi-born singer, who was on a two-day tour of Kolkata to perform at two college programmes, was "almost mobbed" by fans at the hotel where he had returned after performing at Nazrul Mancha, he said.

"The singer had allowed a couple of fans to take snaps with him but then he refused to carry on with the selfie session. He left the lobby and then went upstairs where he had reportedly collapsed and fell on the floor. People who were with him informed the hotel authorities," the officer said.

KK was then rushed to Calcutta Medical Research Institute in the southern part of the city where he was declared "brought dead" by doctors, the officer said, adding that probably because of the fall, the singer had two injuries -- one on the left side of his forehead and another on his lips.

Doctors at the hospital said they suspected "cardiac arrest" to be the cause of the death.

Meanwhile, a video of KK at the Nazrul Mancha, showing him wiping his face with a hand towel while fans around him complained about the stuffy conditions there, has gone viral.

"Zyaada garam hai," a voice can be heard saying off-camera as KK gestured to another man, seemingly asking about the ventilation.

Some people, who had attended the concert at the indoor venue yesterday, said the singer was sweating profusely on the dais and had even complained to the organisers about the stuffy condition. He had also requested the concert organisers to dim the spotlights on him.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted later today to ascertain the exact cause of his death, he added.

Meanwhile, the singer's wife reached Kolkata and went straight to the hospital where KK's body has been kept.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today condoled the death of the popular singer.

"The sudden and untimely demise of the Bollywood playback singer KK shocks and saddens us. My colleagues have been working from last night to ensure that all requisite support is given for necessary formalities, his rites and to his family now. My deep condolences," she tweeted.

Mamata, while speaking at a programme in Bankura, said she has cut short her tour and will try to reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and pay her last respects to the mortal remains of KK.

She said the state police will give a gun salute to the deceased singer.

"KK was a youth icon. We have lost a great singer. I have spoken to his wife who has arrived in Kolkata. Depending on the weather condition, I will try to reach NSCBI Airport to pay last respect to the singer. The state police will give gun salute to him," she said.

The singer, who had no formal training in singing and considered Kishore Kumar as his icon, had performed at Nazrul Mancha on Monday (May 30) evening also in a concert organised by Vivekananda College. He was scheduled to return to New Delhi today.