New Delhi:
Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor today called for a "clear and definitive" conclusion to the investigation into his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death, amid a new controversy over a doctor's allegation that he was "pressured" to manipulate the post mortem report in the case.
"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," Mr Tharoor said in response to AIIMS forensic doctor Sudhir Gupta's allegation that he was pressured to show Sunanda Tharoor's death as natural.
Dr Gupta has written to the health ministry and Chief Vigilance Commission alleging that he is being targeted because he did not give in to the pressure and said in the post mortem report that Sunanda died of drug poisoning. He has also called for a probe into what he called "illegal politically motivated agenda" to remove him as head of the forensic department "since I have taken an honest and ethical stand."
Mr Tharoor's statement came hours after Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stepped into the row and sought a report from AIIMS.
An AIIMS spokesperson denied Dr Gupta's allegation and said there was no pressure on him.
The doctor's critics question why he came out with these claims at a time he is fighting for his promotion.
Dr Harsh Vardhan told NDTV, "It will be unfair to comment on the previous government without the right details. If there is an issue within the department it should not be blown up in this manner."
52-year-old Sunanda Tharoor was found dead in her room in a five-star hotel on January 18, days after her public spat on social media with a Pakistani journalist she suspected was involved with her husband.
The post-mortem report by the AIIMS medical board said Sunanda died of poisoning. Her viscera report indicated were traces of the anti-depressant drug Alprax in her system but did not confirm any "poisonous" substance.