Sunanda Pushkar Death Case: Shashi Tharoor Denies 'Abetment to Suicide' Charge, Decries Delhi Police
Tharoor, the husband of late Pushkar, was booked by the Delhi Police under IPC sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 498A (cruelty in marriage).
New Delhi, May 14: On being charged by the Delhi Police for 'abetment to suicide' in Sunanda Pushkar death case, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor accused the investigators of falsely framing him in the case.
The diplomat-turned-politician said the police admitted before the court in October 2017 that there is no evidence against him. "Now in 6 months, they say that I have abetted a suicide. Unbelievable," the Thiruvananthapuram lawmaker added.
In the chargesheet filed before the Patiala House Court on Monday, Tharoor, the husband of late Pushkar, was booked by the Delhi Police under IPC sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 498A (cruelty in marriage). Reports said he was also charged under the relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
"I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet & intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation (sic)," Tharoor said.
"It does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police. In October (20)17, the Law Officer made a statement in the Delhi High Court that they have not found anything against anyone & now in 6 months they say that I have abetted a suicide. unbelievable (sic)," he added.
The case involving the death of 52-year-old business magnate Sunanda Pushkar dates back to January 17, 2014. Pushkar was found that night dead in room no 345 of Leela Palace, the five-star hotel in Delhi's Chanakyapuri.
The autopsy report revealed Pushkar died due to a radioactive poison. The Delhi Police filed a case under IPC section 302 (suicide) against unidentified persons.
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy had moved the Delhi High Court seeking a court-monitored probe into the case, along with making Tharoor a party to the crime. Swamy contended before the court that Tharoor had used his ministerial position under the erstwhile UPA regime to influence the investigation of Delhi Police when the case broke out.
The petition was dismissed by the Delhi HC in October 2017, calling it "politically motivated". Swamy, however, moved the Supreme Court in January this year.
Reacting to the chargesheet filed against Tharoor, he said, "I welcome it. But we have to work hard to get him prosecuted. All witnesses and documents were destroyed by UPA government and corrupt police. On basis of current evidence, this is what could be done. More information will come during trial."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2018 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).