Tharoor calls for 'clear, definitive' end to Sunanda death probe

NEW DELHI: Former Union minister Shashi Tharoor today sought a speedy inquiry for a "clear and definitive conclusion" as to the cause of death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar in the wake of reported claims by a senior forensic doctor that he was pressurised to manipulate the autopsy report in the case.

"Upon the tragic loss of my wife Sunanda and from the very beginning, I have requested for a thorough investigation by the authorities to be conducted and concluded rapidly and transparently.

"I reiterate my request to bring this protracted inquiry to a clear and definitive conclusion at the earliest, so as to put all speculation to rest," Tharoor said in a statement on Facebook.

The Pushkar family, he said, has taken the same view and "we have all fully co-operated with the authorities".

Dr Sudhir Gupta, who heads the forensic science department of AIIMS and led the panel that conducted Sunanda's post- mortem, has reportedly alleged that he was pressurised to show her death was natural, which he resisted.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has, meanwhile, said he has written to the AIIMS Director seeking detailed information over the allegations.

Sunanda was found dead at a five-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17, a day after her twitter spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar over the latter's alleged affair with Tharoor.