Syed Mohammad Yousuf's death due to heart attack: Magisterial probe

SRINAGAR: In a relief to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a magisterial probe into the death of National Conference worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf last year, has found that he died due to cardiovascular arrest and not because of any assault by personnel in the chief minister's camp office or by police.

"(The) deceased on the morning of September 30, 2011, was even walking as he was seen by witnesses and going to the bathroom as well which shows that he was normal.

"Thus the allegations levelled in the media about the deceased are not based on facts, as whatever they have stated is only out of imagination or some motivation," the report said apparently referring to criticism at the time of the incident that had pointed fingers at the Chief Minister.

The media then had carried stories about personnel in the CM camp office could have assaulted him that could have led to the death of the National Conference worker.

"...After examining 57 witnesses and making physical examination of hospital, Crime Branch, as well as the CM's camp office in Srinagar, I have come to the conclusion that Yousuf died due to cardiovascular arrest without any external/physical assault, force, injury or mischief upon his body or due to negligence of any authority," Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Akbar Ganaie said in his 41-page report.

The report also cleared Omar's aides-- political advisor Devender Rana and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani -- of all the charges in the case.