NEW DELHI: Hours after he sang his famous song ‘Pal’, Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, passed away in Kolkata.
While the nation mourned the shocked demise of one of the most versatile voices in the Indian music industry, Kolkata Police is leaving nothing to chance as New Market police station took suo moto cognizance and registered a case of unnatural death of the singer.
While speaking to The New Indian, a police official said, “We have started the investigation. A suo moto cognizance of this case has been taken. The Joint Commissioner has arrived. A forensic team is about to reach the hotel. We will speak to the hotel authorities and we are also monitoring CCTV footage vigorously.”
The 54-year-old singer caught the imagination of the nation with his rendition of ‘Yaaron’, which has become an anthem of friendship in the country. The versatile singer was performing at the famous Nazrul Mancha in Kolkata where the student body of Gurudas College organised the college fest.
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According to reports, KK fell ill hours after returning to The Oberoi Grand where he was staying. At the time of filing the report, Kolkata Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Murlidhar Sharma arrived at the hotel.
The New Indian had learnt that the singer was feeling unwell during his concert and rushed to the hotel after finishing his program. Nazrul Mancha has a capacity of 2500 but reports suggested that it was hugely overcrowded for the show.
People present at the venue said that KK complained of being uncomfortable and feeling uneasiness. He complained of the heat and later requested to switch off the spotlight. A video has also appeared where it was seen that the singer was complaining about the heat.
Soon after the concert, he rushed to his hotel room where he collapsed. Immediately he was taken to the hospital at CMRI where he was declared brought dead. Post mortem is being conducted at the SSKM hospital.
Meanwhile, the Bengal government will offer homage to KK through a gun salute near Rabindra Sadan, CM Mamata Banerjee announced. The mortal remains will then be taken to Mumbai for last rites.