Nana Patekar death: Goa Police file unnatural death case, family statements next
Synopsis
Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar died of cardiac arrest at his Goa residence early Thursday morning at 75, and was declared dead on arrival at Manipal Hospital after 45 minutes of CPR. Goa Police have registered a routine Unnatural Death case under BNSS Section 194 — standard procedure when a patient arrives deceased — while awaiting the post-mortem report and family statements to officially close or escalate the case.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar died of a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa in the early hours of 9 October 2026 and was declared dead at 5.20 am .
Goa Police registered a medico-legal Unnatural Death (UD) case under Section 194 of the BNSS , investigated by PSI Nitin Naik .
Doctors at Manipal Hospital performed CPR for approximately 45 minutes but could not revive him; he was brought dead on arrival.
Dr Shekhar Salkar confirmed Patekar was a known heart patient on medication.
A post-mortem was conducted at Goa Medical College (GMC) ; family statements are yet to be recorded.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951 , the actor was 75 years old at the time of his death.
Goa Police have registered a medico-legal Unnatural Death (UD) case in connection with the passing of veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, who died in the early hours of Thursday, 9 October 2026 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. The case has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and is being investigated by Police Sub-Inspector Nitin Naik.
How the Case Unfolded
According to reports, Patekar was brought from his Dona Paula residence to Manipal Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for approximately 45 minutes in an attempt to revive him, but he was officially pronounced dead at 5.20 am. The registration of an Unnatural Death case in such circumstances is a standard legal procedure when a person is brought dead to a hospital, allowing investigators to formally establish the cause of death.
What the Hospital Doctors Said
Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital told reporters on Thursday morning, 'We tried our best here, but he was brought dead, and then we had to file a police case.' The doctor added, 'As far as we know, he was a heart patient and was taking medication.' The disclosure that Patekar had a pre-existing cardiac condition is significant context for the investigation, though police will await the post-mortem findings before drawing conclusions.
Investigation Steps Underway
As part of the investigation, police will conduct a panchnama, examine the post-mortem report completed at Goa Medical College (GMC), and record statements from family members and other relevant individuals. Investigators are probing the circumstances surrounding the death. If the cause is confirmed as natural, the case is likely to be closed. However, should any suspicious circumstances or foul play emerge, further legal action will follow. The actor's body was handed over to his family for last rites after the post-mortem.
About Nana Patekar
Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951, Nana Patekar was widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most intense and versatile performers, known for acclaimed roles across decades of Bollywood and Marathi films. He belonged to a Marathi family; his father, Gajanan (Dinkar) Patekar, was a textile painter and businessman who died when the actor was 28 years old. His mother, Nirmala Patekar (Sanjanabai Patekar), a homemaker, remained with him until her death on 29 January 2019 at the age of 99. Patekar was 75 years old at the time of his death.
What Happens Next
The outcome of the post-mortem examination and family statements will be central to determining how the UD case proceeds. If investigators at Goa Medical College confirm a natural cardiac cause, the case will likely be formally closed. The film fraternity and fans across the country are mourning the loss of one of Indian cinema's most celebrated actors.
Point of View
Which will either confirm the cardiac cause cited by the hospital and close the matter, or trigger a deeper probe. The disclosure that Patekar was a known heart patient on medication strongly points toward a natural death, making the UD case a formality rather than a signal of anything untoward. Coverage that frames this as a 'suspicious death investigation' risks misrepresenting standard Indian medico-legal procedure.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar died of a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of 9 October 2026. He was brought to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted CPR for around 45 minutes before declaring him dead at 5.20 am.
Why did Goa Police register an Unnatural Death case?
Under Indian law, registering an Unnatural Death (UD) case under Section 194 of the BNSS is standard procedure when a person is brought dead to a hospital. It allows investigators to formally examine the cause of death through a post-mortem and witness statements before closing or escalating the case.
What did doctors at Manipal Hospital say about Nana Patekar's health?
Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital told reporters that Patekar was a known heart patient who was on medication. The doctor confirmed he was brought dead to the hospital, prompting the mandatory police filing.
What are the next steps in the Goa Police investigation?
Police will conduct a panchnama, review the post-mortem report from Goa Medical College, and record statements from family members and other relevant individuals. If the death is confirmed as natural, the case is likely to be closed.
How old was Nana Patekar at the time of his death?
Nana Patekar was 75 years old. Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951 in a Marathi family, he was one of Hindi and Marathi cinema's most celebrated actors across a career spanning several decades.
