Plot thickens: Shashi Tharoor, others to be grilled in Sunanda murder case
Sunanda Pushkar, a businesswoman and wife of former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a south Delhi hotel room, on January 17, 2014.
NEW DELHI: Eleven days short of a year after the wife of former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, Sunanda Pushkar, was found dead at Delhi's Leela Hotel, police gave a sinister twist to the case on Tuesday by claiming that she was murdered.
Police commissioner B S Bassi jumped the surprise, saying a case of murder (section 302 IPC) had been registered (FIR No. 4) against unknown persons on January 1, two days after cops received Sunanda's final medical report from AIIMS. The medical report suggesting poisoning as the cause of death was first reported by TOI on October 10.
Tharoor, along with other witnesses who had deposed earlier before the sub-divisional magistrate, will be questioned by the police and cross examined. These include Tharoor's help Narain Swami, who was the only other person present in the room that day and his secretary Abhinav, police said.
READ ALSO:
Sunanda's 72 tumultuous hours: She was depressed, ate little and slept late
Shashi Tharoor's statement
Reacting to the new turn in the case, Tharoor said, "I am stunned to hear that the Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife Sunanda. Needless to say I am anxious to see this case is investigated thoroughly and continue to assure the police of my full cooperation. Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and that the unvarnished truth should come out."
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In this file photo taken on March 12, 2012, Shashi Tharoor and his wife Sunanda Pushkar arrive at Parliament in New Delhi.
The final medical report says that the nature of her death is homicidal and the cause of death is poisoning. The poison, however, has still not been identified by forensic experts or doctors but doctors and forensic officials suspect it could either be polonium 210 or Thalium. However, they have listed out other poisons along with these two saying these can't be tested at Indian labs.
An FIR has been registered at the Sarojini Nagar police station and the complainant-cum-investigating officer is the SHO of the police station, an officer said. The original investigator of the case was shunted out earlier. The FIR says the poison may have been orally administered or injected, which forms the basis of the FIR.
Sunanda's viscera samples will be sent abroad to ascertain the poison and the quantity of its intake. Police will move court with a letter rogatory seeking permission for the same. As police investigations begin in the case, sources said police will now try to elaborate on the injury number 10, an injection mark, found on Sunanda's body. There are 15 injuries on her body.
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READ ALSO: AIIMS doctor vindicated, faced flak for stand
The FIR, read out to TOI by an investigator, begins with the IO, VKPS Yadav, saying that the death was reported on January 17 and inquest proceedings were conducted under 174 CRPC. "During the course of investigations, medical and forensic reports were sought and the final report describes the death due to poisoning. It prima facie establishes a case of murder," it reads.
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Sunanda Pushkar.
READ ALSO:
Sunanda Pushkar's murder: Who said what
Sunanda Pushkar murder: 10 things we know
Commissioner Bassi said, "On December 29, the medical board of All India Institute of Medical Sciences gave us a report. In the main, they have informed us that the death is unnatural. Secondly, it is due to poison that could have been taken orally or injected. They have told us other things as well."
Police commissioner B S Bassi jumped the surprise, saying a case of murder (section 302 IPC) had been registered (FIR No. 4) against unknown persons on January 1, two days after cops received Sunanda's final medical report from AIIMS. The medical report suggesting poisoning as the cause of death was first reported by TOI on October 10.
Tharoor, along with other witnesses who had deposed earlier before the sub-divisional magistrate, will be questioned by the police and cross examined. These include Tharoor's help Narain Swami, who was the only other person present in the room that day and his secretary Abhinav, police said.
READ ALSO:
Sunanda's 72 tumultuous hours: She was depressed, ate little and slept late
Shashi Tharoor's statement
Reacting to the new turn in the case, Tharoor said, "I am stunned to hear that the Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife Sunanda. Needless to say I am anxious to see this case is investigated thoroughly and continue to assure the police of my full cooperation. Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and that the unvarnished truth should come out."
In this file photo taken on March 12, 2012, Shashi Tharoor and his wife Sunanda Pushkar arrive at Parliament in New Delhi.
The final medical report says that the nature of her death is homicidal and the cause of death is poisoning. The poison, however, has still not been identified by forensic experts or doctors but doctors and forensic officials suspect it could either be polonium 210 or Thalium. However, they have listed out other poisons along with these two saying these can't be tested at Indian labs.
An FIR has been registered at the Sarojini Nagar police station and the complainant-cum-investigating officer is the SHO of the police station, an officer said. The original investigator of the case was shunted out earlier. The FIR says the poison may have been orally administered or injected, which forms the basis of the FIR.
Sunanda's viscera samples will be sent abroad to ascertain the poison and the quantity of its intake. Police will move court with a letter rogatory seeking permission for the same. As police investigations begin in the case, sources said police will now try to elaborate on the injury number 10, an injection mark, found on Sunanda's body. There are 15 injuries on her body.
READ ALSO: AIIMS doctor vindicated, faced flak for stand
The FIR, read out to TOI by an investigator, begins with the IO, VKPS Yadav, saying that the death was reported on January 17 and inquest proceedings were conducted under 174 CRPC. "During the course of investigations, medical and forensic reports were sought and the final report describes the death due to poisoning. It prima facie establishes a case of murder," it reads.
Sunanda Pushkar.
READ ALSO:
Sunanda Pushkar's murder: Who said what
Sunanda Pushkar murder: 10 things we know
Commissioner Bassi said, "On December 29, the medical board of All India Institute of Medical Sciences gave us a report. In the main, they have informed us that the death is unnatural. Secondly, it is due to poison that could have been taken orally or injected. They have told us other things as well."
When asked if the police will question Tharoor, Bassi said, "Now that we have registered a case of murder, all those people who were connected with the case will be questioned. The witnesses in this case were examined by the SDM who had conducted the inquest proceedings. We had also examined them under Section 174 of the CrPC," Bassi added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Plot-thickens-Shashi-Tharoor-others-to-be-grilled-in-Sunanda-murder-case/articleshow/45784983.cms
A year after Sunanda Pushkar’s death by poison, Delhi Police file murder case
New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI): Delhi Police on Tuesday registered a case of murder in the death last January of businesswoman Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, after a medical report said her death was unnatural and was caused by poisoning.
Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi did not rule out questioning Tharoor, a former Union minister who is now a member of Parliament.
The case of murder has been filed under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code but no one has been named in the FIR.
”Nobody has been named in the case,” Bassi told reporters in reply to questions.
Sunanda, 51, was found dead in a luxury hotel here on January 17 last year.
Bassi said it was not clear whether she had consumed the poison on her own or it was administered forcefully or by injection, he said.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said he was stunned to hear about the new turn in the Sunanda Pushkar case but made it clear that he will continue to cooperate with the probe.
”I am stunned to hear that the Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife Sunanda. Needless to say I am anxious to see this case is investigated thoroughly and continue to assure the Police of my full cooperation,” Tharoor said in a statememt posted on Facebook.
Sunanda's death had created a sensation as it came shortly after a bitter spat between the couple over the twitter, over his alleged affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar.
”On 29th December, the medical board of AIIMS has given us a report. The main thing they have informed us is that the death is unnatural and not natural. Secondly, it is due to poison that could have been taken orally given or injected and they have told us other things as well,” Bassi said.
Bassi said since tests to find out the amount and nature of the poison cannot take place in India, the police have decided to send samples abroad for examination.
”So it was necesary that a case be registered. We have registered a case and we will investigate,” he said in reply to questions.
Asked whether Tharoor would be questioned in the light of the latest development, Bassi said, “Now as we have registered a case of murder, all those people who were connected with the case will be examined.”
”All the witnesses in this case were examined by the SDM, as he conducted inquest proceedings. So, all relevant witnesses were examined by him, we had also examined them under Section 174 of the Cr.PC.
Bassi said the AIIMS report has not specified the nature of the poison and how it was administered into her body. The substance is still not clear but the death is due to poisoning, he said.
Asked why a case was being registered one year after the incident, he said the medical report which the police got initially was “interim”.
The doctors needed certain information which was gathered and given to them, he said, noting after that they demanded some more information.
”Now they (doctors) have given us some conclusions on the basis of available information. So on the basis of that report it was necessary to file a case and proceed further in the probe,” Bassi said.
The report has not given a definite conclusion about how poison was present in the body but it has suggested more possibility of injection having been administered, he said.
Shashi Tharoor: Stunned to hear that Sunanda Pushkar was murdered
TNN | Jan 6, 2015, 04.19 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday that he was stunned to hear that Delhi Police have filed a murder case in connection with Sunanda Pushkar's death.
"I am stunned to hear Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife. I am anxious to see the case is investigated thoroughly," Shashi Tharoor said.
"Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and the unvarnished truth should come out," he said.
"I assure police of my full co-operation in the investigation," Shashi Tharoor added.
He added that he and all members of Pushkar's family wanted access to all the information on the basis of which Delhi Police had concluded that she was poisoned to death.
"We have not been provided copies of the post-mortem report and other reports of the inquiry like the CFSL report till date. We repeat our request for a copy of these reports to be provided to us immediately," said Tharoor.
Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in mysterious circumstances in a luxury hotel in New Delhi on January 17 last year. Delhi Police chief B S Bassi said on Tuesday, almost a year later, that she was poisoned to death.
Sunanda Pushkar's murder: Who said what
Sunanda Pushkar murder: 10 things we know
Here is the full statement issued by Shashi Tharoor:
I am stunned to hear that the Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife Sunanda. Needless to say I am anxious to see this case is investigated thoroughly and continue to assure the Police of my full co-operation. Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and that the unvarnished truth should come out.In the meantime, I join all members of Sunanda's family in asking for full information about the basis on which the Police have come to this conclusion. We have not been provided with copies of the post-mortem report and other reports of the inquiry like the CFSL report till date. We repeat our request for a copy of these reports to be provided to us immediately.
READ ALSO: Sunanda Pushkar was murdered, Delhi Police say
"I am stunned to hear Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife. I am anxious to see the case is investigated thoroughly," Shashi Tharoor said.
"Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and the unvarnished truth should come out," he said.
"I assure police of my full co-operation in the investigation," Shashi Tharoor added.
He added that he and all members of Pushkar's family wanted access to all the information on the basis of which Delhi Police had concluded that she was poisoned to death.
"We have not been provided copies of the post-mortem report and other reports of the inquiry like the CFSL report till date. We repeat our request for a copy of these reports to be provided to us immediately," said Tharoor.
Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in mysterious circumstances in a luxury hotel in New Delhi on January 17 last year. Delhi Police chief B S Bassi said on Tuesday, almost a year later, that she was poisoned to death.
Sunanda Pushkar's murder: Who said what
Sunanda Pushkar murder: 10 things we know
Here is the full statement issued by Shashi Tharoor:
I am stunned to hear that the Delhi Police have filed a case of murder against unknown persons in the demise of my late wife Sunanda. Needless to say I am anxious to see this case is investigated thoroughly and continue to assure the Police of my full co-operation. Although we never thought of any foul play in the death of my wife, we all want that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and that the unvarnished truth should come out.In the meantime, I join all members of Sunanda's family in asking for full information about the basis on which the Police have come to this conclusion. We have not been provided with copies of the post-mortem report and other reports of the inquiry like the CFSL report till date. We repeat our request for a copy of these reports to be provided to us immediately.
READ ALSO: Sunanda Pushkar was murdered, Delhi Police say
Opposition demands Tharoor’s resignation
BJP district president S Suresh said his party would even think of social boycott of Tharoor in his constituency if he refuses to step down.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition LDF and BJP have stepped up attack against Shashi Tharoor MP in the wake of registering of murder case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death. Opposition Leader VS Achuthanandnan and CPI state secretary Pannyan Raveendran demanded resignation of Tharoor as an MP. DYFI activists staged a march to the government secretariat seeking the resignation of Tharoor soon after reports about the murder charges came out.
BJP district president S Suresh said his party would even think of social boycott of Tharoor in his constituency if he refuses to step down.
Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan put the blame on Congress central leadership. "When they were planning to give candidature for Tharoor again, many persons have warned them. But, Congress central leadership tried to paint him as an innocent and fielded him as candidate. Now, the Congress has to take the crime of shielding the accused and apologize to the public", VS said in a statement issued here.
VS said Tharoor was naturally the suspect in the case as he was near Sunanda Pushkar at the time of incident and it was only less than seven years since their marriage. "As he is sure to be face interrogation, it will only be proper to quit and face the probe. The Congress central leadership should at least intervene now and ask him to step down", VS said.
NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan asked Tharoor to step down immediately and face probe. He said the public is interested to know the stance of Congress in the issue.
BJP district president S Suresh said his party would even think of social boycott of Tharoor in his constituency if he refuses to step down.
Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan put the blame on Congress central leadership. "When they were planning to give candidature for Tharoor again, many persons have warned them. But, Congress central leadership tried to paint him as an innocent and fielded him as candidate. Now, the Congress has to take the crime of shielding the accused and apologize to the public", VS said in a statement issued here.
VS said Tharoor was naturally the suspect in the case as he was near Sunanda Pushkar at the time of incident and it was only less than seven years since their marriage. "As he is sure to be face interrogation, it will only be proper to quit and face the probe. The Congress central leadership should at least intervene now and ask him to step down", VS said.
NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan asked Tharoor to step down immediately and face probe. He said the public is interested to know the stance of Congress in the issue.
TDK is also to be questioned and later interrogated.
Had tweeted work started on @Swamy39 PIL against Sunanda Pushkar PIL &will be filed in 10 days, guess all knew game was up so registered FIR
Sunanda Pushkar's murder: Who said what
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sunanda-Pushkars-murder-Who-said-what/articleshow/45777652.cms … via @timesofindia
'Shashi Tharoor is a liar': Says Dr @Swamy39 : Who said what on police confirming Sunanda Pushkar was murdered