Swamy writes to PM seeking CBI probe into Sunanda death

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) The controversy into the Sunanda Pushkar death probe deepened on Thursday as senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a CBI probe into the matter.

"I have written to the prime minister seeking a CBI probe into Sunanda Pushkar’s death," Swami told IANS.

Pushkar, 52, the wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her room at a five-star hotel in south Delhi Jan 17.

Sudhir Gupta, head of forensics department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), claimed earlier this week that he was pressurised by top officials to rule that Pushkar’s death was "natural".

Swamy said he has, in fact, asked the prime minister to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which should include members of the Intelligence Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate.

"I urge you to set up a SIT under the Central Bureau of Investigation with not only IB and RAW nominees but also of the Enforcement Directorate in view of the fact that the cause of death could have something to do with her threat of disclosure of the money laundering in the IPL scam, involving the son-in-law of a powerful political figure of the UPA," the letter said.

It further said an affidavit filed in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by Gupta has fully re-opened the issue. "Hence in these circumstances, a SIT inquiry should be set up on your direction."

Meanwhile, Gupta told media persons that the report he had made was based on the principles and ethics of medicine.

"I want to clarify that not only Sunanda Pushkar, but all the post-mortem reports prepared by me are based on the principles and ethics of medicine," he said.

Refusing to be dragged into the controversy further, O.P. Murthy, additional professor in the Forensics Department, told IANS: "The matter is sub-judice. There is a court hearing July 11 and things will be clear then."

Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi Thursday reiterated that if required the police would talk to Sudhir Gupta.

"Let the issue be examined. Once it is completed, whatever is relevant will be done. I have already said that if required we will talk to Sudhir Gupta but if the necessity is felt to talk to anybody else that will also be done," he said.

"Whatever reports we have got from the media, we will analyse them properly and take the relevant steps," Bassi said.

Delhi Police had set up a Special Investigation Team a few days after Pushkar’s death to probe the case as it occurred a little over three years of the marriage.

Under the law, every death of a bride within three years of marriage is viewed with suspicion that it may be a dowry death.

Congress leader Tharoor refused to comment in the matter, saying: "It is a process, we will leave it to investigators to sort it out."