Indian billionaire, actress wife back home after homicide case cleared

Real estate magnate Vikas Oberoi and actress wife Gayatri Joshi. Photo from Showbiz India’s Instagram

The couple returned to India as there was no prima facie case against Oberoi in the road accident that involved the death of a Swiss couple on the Italian island Sardinia, reported the Indian news channel CNBC TV18.

Oberoi was under investigation by Sardinian prosecutors for "double road homicide" after his Lamborghini, with him and Joshi inside, collided with a Ferrari earlier this week while both cars were trying to overtake a large campervan, according to The Telegraph.

The crash caused the Ferrari to flip over and subsequently burst into flames, burning the Swiss couple inside the vehicle to death.

Occupants of the campervan also suffered from injuries and were hospitalized, while Oberoi and Joshi were unhurt.

The drivers were reportedly taking part in an event called Sardinia Supercar Tour, in which participants drive their top-end cars from the southern to the northern coast of the Mediterranean island.

Local police and technical experts were sent to the crash site to investigate the case.

Oberoi, 54, is the chairman and managing director of the Mumbai-listed Oberoi Realty, known for its high-end real estate properties. His net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $3.7 billion as of October 2023, and he is believed to be one of the richest men in India.

Joshi, 46, is a former actress, model, and beauty contest winner. She won the 2000 Miss International India title before representing her country at the 2000 Miss International pageant.

The couple got married in 2005 and have two children.