British mother of Bollywood actor dies in Delhi; murder investigation launched

Indian police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Pauline Crowther Ann, an 85-year-old British woman who was found dead on July 30 at the New Delhi home of her son, Bollywood actor and model Daljit Sean Singh, authorities said.

Crowther Ann lived on the ground floor of Singh’s residence in the upscale Lutyens area, while Singh and his family occupied the upper floors. A housemaid discovered her unconscious body on the day of her death and alerted the family, police said. Initially, officers said bloodstains at the scene were consistent with a fall, and no foul play was suspected. Authorities have not disclosed a presumed motive and said there were no reported disputes leading up to the incident.

The post-mortem report is inconclusive, but it revealed head injuries and raised questions about whether Crowther Ann was strangled or died from brain injuries. A second autopsy is being sought to clarify the circumstances, according to a police officer cited by the Telegraph. Police have said they are pursuing a second opinion as part of the investigation.

Crowther Ann’s family has described a close but private relationship with the actor and his relatives. Neighbors told local media that Singh cared for his mother and that she was often seen with him during her visits to India. Records show she married Mohinderjit Singh, a New Delhi-based real estate tycoon, but the couple separated in the 1980s. Following her husband's death, she visited India frequently, sometimes staying for months at a time; neighbors noted that her visits varied in length and frequency.

It is unclear when Crowther Ann last spoke with her son or other family members before her death. Authorities noted that CCTV coverage at the property’s gate area existed, but footage was retained for only 15 days, limiting investigators’ ability to reconstruct the final hours. Police said the family reported no recent quarrels or suspicious activity, and they are examining digital evidence, including Crowther Ann’s phone, which her daughter took to the United States as a keepsake. Investigators have also requested access to mobile devices belonging to Singh’s relatives in an effort to gather clues.

The Daily Mail, which first reported the case, said Indian detectives intend to examine communications and call records to map the timeline in the days leading up to Crowther Ann’s death. UK authorities were asked for comment as part of standard cross-border information-gathering in such cases.

Daljit Sean Singh, who has worked in Bollywood as an actor and model, has not publicly commented on the investigation. Police have emphasized that the inquiry is ongoing and that no charges have been filed at this stage. The case underscores the fragility of cross-border ties in high-profile incidents and the importance of thorough forensic and digital investigations in India’s capital.