The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Congress on Wednesday came out in defence of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor after the head of the forensic science department at AIIMS, Sudhir Gupta, alleged that he was under pressure to report that the death of Tharoor’s wife, Sunanda Pushkar, was natural.

Pushkar had been found dead in a plush Delhi hotel in January this year.

The BJP and the CPI(M), however, are not convinced with the way investigations are progressing. Both the parties have demanded a thorough probe into the issue. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said Pushkar had said she would expose Indian Premier League (IPL) deals.

He alleged that had she done this, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra’s name would also have surfaced. “Sunanda Pushkar was killed and there should be an inquiry into it by the Supreme Court,” Swamy told news channels.

CPI(M) MP in the Rajya Sabha KN Balagopal tweeted that it was now clear to everybody about the secret behind Tharoor's ‘affection’ towards the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called for a proper investigation into the issue.

Clear conclusion

Meanwhile, Tharoor also sought a speedy probe for a “clear and definitive conclusion” of the case. “Upon the tragic loss of my wife Sunanda and from the very beginning, I have requested for a thorough investigation by the authorities to be conducted and concluded rapidly and transparently. 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,” Tharoor said in a statement on Facebook.

Soon after Gupta’s allegations on Tuesday, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said he had written to the AIIMS Director seeking detailed information on the allegations.

On Wednesday, AIIMS authorities said in a press conference there was no basis in Gupta’s allegations. AIIMS categorically denied his claims, they said.

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