Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor was found dead in her hotel room on January 18
After a forensic doctor's allegation that he was "pressured" to manipulate a report on the death of former union minister Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has asked for a report.
Dr Sudhir Gupta, the chief of the forensic department at the government-run AIIMS hospital, has reportedly written to the health ministry and the Chief Vigilance Commission alleging that he was pressured to show Sunanda Tharoor's death as natural. (
Investigations into Sunanda Pushkar's death transferred to Delhi Police Crime Branch)
Dr Gupta headed the panel that conducted Sunanda Tharoor's post mortem. He alleges that he is being targeted because he did not give in to the pressure and said in his report that Sunanda died of drug poisoning.
He alleged a"malaise agenda to oust me from the post of HOD (Head of Department) since I have taken an honest and ethical stand." He asked the Vigilance Commissioner to inquire into what he called "illegal politically motivated agenda" to remove him.
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."
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP from Kerala, refused to comment today.
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. (
Unimaginable that Shashi Tharoor could harm Sunanda, says her brother)
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. (
Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor's death: No answers yet as two reports differ)
Dr Gupta claims he was pressured to act in an "unprofessional manner" to cover up the case. (
Sunanda viscera report to be sent back to AIIMS medical board)
The doctor's critics question the timing of his allegation, at a time he is fighting for his promotion.