In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, noted Surat realtor Tushar Ghelani died on Thursday, just days after he allegedly attempted suicide amid preparations for his daughter's wedding. The 58-year-old businessman succumbed to a heart attack in the hospital, following a series of events that began with a family argument over wedding arrangements.
Wedding Preparations Turn Tragic
On February 1, Ghelani, his wife Pallavi, daughter Tanvi, and other family members were at their Citylight Road home in Surat, finalizing the guest list for Tanvi's wedding, which was scheduled for February 5. According to police reports, an argument erupted over differences of opinion regarding the guest list and expenses for the upcoming ceremony.
Umra police Inspector J A Rathwa stated, "There were some arguments over differences of opinion about the guest list and expenses for the wedding." Following the dispute, Ghelani retreated to his bedroom, where he attempted to take his own life.
Medical Emergency and Organ Donation Efforts
Ghelani's wife, daughter, and other family members discovered him lying on the bed with a revolver nearby. He was immediately rushed to Mahavir Hospital at Athwagate, where doctors performed surgery and declared him to be in critical condition. Over the next few days, his health deteriorated, and on Wednesday evening, a medical team led by Dr Hitesh Chitroda and Dr Ankit Gajjar announced that Ghelani was brain-dead.
In a gesture of generosity amid the tragedy, counsellors from Donatelife, an NGO specializing in organ donation, approached the family after learning of Ghelani's brain death. They obtained consent from Pallavi, Tanvi, and Ghelani's father Harjibhai for the donation of his liver, eyes, and hand. The necessary permissions were also secured from the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO).
Final Moments and Legacy
On Thursday morning, officials from Donatelife arrived at the hospital to collect Ghelani's organs. However, at 10 am, Ghelani suffered a severe heart attack and passed away in his hospital bed. Donatelife president Nilesh Mandlewala explained, "Our teams reached the hospital on Thursday morning to collect the organs of brain-dead Tushar Ghelani. At 10 am, Tusharbhai suffered a severe heart attack, and he died in a hospital bed. We could not get the hand and liver. Only his eyes were taken and sent to Lokdrashti Eye Bank at Surat."
Ghelani, who ran Ghelani Builders (Ghelani Group) in Surat, had been a prominent figure in the real estate industry since entering the business in 1990. A former chairman of Credai in Surat, he was originally from the Saurashtra region. His sudden demise has left the local business community and his family in mourning, highlighting the pressures that can accompany major life events like weddings.
The police have recorded statements from Pallavi and Harjibhai regarding the suicide attempt, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues. This case underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the noble act of organ donation, even in times of personal tragedy.
