Priyanka Chopra to help bring back assistant’s body

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Priyanka Chopra’s team has now extended support to bring back Jiban Patra’s body from the US. Patra, one of Priyanka’s assistants, had passed away on April 7 in Los Angeles, where the actor had been shooting with an entourage. After completing its US shooting schedule, the crew had flown to Vancouver. However, Patra, 41, had to stay back in Los Angeles because he could not obtain a visa to Canada. On April 7, he was found dead in his hotel room. The Los Angeles Police Department, which is investigating the case, has pegged the immediate cause of death as heart attack, according to media reports. The actress’s spokesperson issued a statement that read, “Owing to the situation that this occurred in a foreign country, where no family member was present, there was multiple levels of paperwork and processes that had to be followed to ensure that the matter was handled effectively and in a timely manner. Owing to some delays in paperwork from the family`s end, the repatriation of the body was delayed.” "Ms Chopra also delayed her return to India to ensure that the everything was in place for Mr Patra's remains to be repatriated to India. We have been in constant touch with the family to keep them updated on the matter," it read. The statement adds, "All details and financial requirements related to the repatriation was and is being handled directly by Ms Chopra and her team in LA." The 30-year-old actress will be taking care of the financial needs of Patra's family. Patra is survived by his wife and two children. (With PTI inputs)