New Delhi, June 5: Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday responded to the summons issued to him by a Delhi court asking him to appear as an accused in the Sunanda Pushkar death case. Tharoor has termed the charges against him in connection with the death of his wife, Sunanda Pushkar, as baseless. In a statement, he said, “I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of malicious and vindictive campaign against myself”.

The Congress MP also pointed out that from the beginning he had fully co-operated with the investigation team. He also said that due legal process should be followed in all aspects related to the case. In the statement, Tharoor stated, "I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately truth will prevail through the judicial system." He also requested the media to respect his right to privacy as well that of his family.

The Delhi High Court today summoned the Congress leader on July 7 as an accused party. The court today took cognisance of chargesheet filed in the Pushkar death case. The court said, "There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences of Section 306 and 498 A of IPC. Issue summons to him for appearance for July 7.” In a chargesheet filed, Tharoor was alleged of abetment of suicide and committing cruelty towards his wife.  Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of the charges filed against the Congress leader.

Pushkar was found dead in room 345 of the Leela Palace Hotel in Chanakyapuri, Delhi on January 17, 2014. The hotel room which was sealed that night itself for investigation, de-sealed in May this year.  An FIR under IPC Section 302 was registered on January 1, 2015 against unknown persons. The chargesheet was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh at the Patiala House court. According to Police, it was a case of suicide and not murder.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 05, 2018 05:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).