Anju Khemchandani, who had returned along with her father from Hong Kong early last month, died on January 25 after she jumped from the terrace of the Konark Estate building opposite Poona Club. She was allegedly blackmailed by Deepak Daryanani (32), brother of Anju's stepmother Roma alias Sharada Khemchandani. He was in possession of her obscene photographs, police said.

Anju's father Lucky Narayandas Khemchandani had been clueless about the reason for his daughter's extreme step. This was because a short while before Anju jumped to death around 8.20 pm, she had played cards and chess with him and they also had their food together. A case of accidental death had been registered then by the police.

It was six days later that Anju's funeral took place because the family had to wait for the relatives to arrive. Anju's two brothers are based in Canada and America while her sister Heena Parwani is based in Hong Kong. It was Heena Parwani who revealed that Anju was being blackmailed by Deepak who was reportedly in possession of her obscene photographs.

Anju regularly received telephone calls from Deepak in Hong Kong. After learning about the blackmailing incidents, Anju's father lodged a complaint with the Bundgarden police alleging that Deepak and Anju's stepmother harassed her. Although the complaint has been lodged, arrests could not be made immediately as Deepak was reportedly working in a company based in Harare.

PSI S A Mujawar said that thorough investigations are being carried out in the case.