Tharoor involved, suspects Sunanda Pushkar’s family

• Fresh report on Sunanda's death inconclusive: Police
• Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu favours a fresh probe

New Delhi: A day after the controversy over the death of Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, took a new twist, her family on Friday claimed that it knew her death was planned.

In an exclusive conversation with Zee Media, Ashok Kumar, a cousin of Sunanda Pushkar, suspected Tharoor's involvement in the case.

When asked about the statement made by Sunanda’s son, from a previous marriage, dismissing the speculation of Tharoor's role in her death, Kumar said Shiv was scared to speak the truth.

Kumar also said that Pushkar was very upset about the closeness her husband shared with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar.

Sunanda could never commit suicide as she used to tell others how to lead their lives, Kumar added.

Earlier in the day, Kumar told a news agency that that the family knew it wasn't a natural death, but was planned.
Raising questions over Tharoor, Kumar asked why would the Congress leader go out for a meeting when his wife was unwell. Even CCTV cameras at hotel weren't working, Kumar pointed out. Seeking justice for Pushkar, Kumar demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

On Thursday, Pushkar's latest post-mortem report, submitted to AIIMS, was leaked, which claimed that she died due to "poisoning". Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has, however, dismissed the report.

Bassi said the available forensic evidence is not conclusive.

"The forensic report at the moment is not conclusive, our inquest status in today's date is pending," Bassi told reporters here.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu favoured a fresh probe into the Sunanda Pushkar death case, saying it "requires an inquiry".