Cause of death of Sunanda Pushkar not established by Delhi Police, Shashi Tharoor tells Court

While arguing against the framing of charges against him in connection with the death of his wife, Sunanda Pushkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today submitted before a Delhi Court that the cause of her death has not been established by the Delhi Police..In August this year, the Delhi Police had pressed for framing of charges under Sections 498A and 306 or alternatively under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against Shashi Tharoor..Appearing for Tharoor, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa argued that no report or evidence was present to suggest the exact cause of death of Pushkar..“When they couldn’t find anything, they took an adventurous route and conducted psychological autopsy…”.Pahwa also brought to the Court’s notice certain tweets made by Pushkar, hours before her death on January 17, 2014 at 4.46 am as well as on January 16, 2014..In her January 16 tweet, Pushkar released a joint statement with her husband to claim that “they were very happily married and intended to remain that way.” The statement also informed that Pushkar was ill and seeking rest..In the January 17 tweet as well, Pushkar had come in defense of her husband in connection with the Mehr Tarar controversy..Pahwa, therefore, moved an application before Court to bring such tweets on record and make them a part of the proceedings..“...the documents (tweets) sought for, are of sterling quality and are very vital for perusal of the Court at the present stage. In fact.. the said documents … can go a long way in assisting this Ld. Court at the present stage as it would have a crucial bearing on the aspect of framing the charge or discharging the Applicant“, the application reads. .It is asserted that the tweets indicate that Pushkar was not having any “suicidal ideations”. Rather, she was in a positive frame of mind and was quite optimistic about her relationship with Tharoor. .Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar deferred further hearing in the case after directing Delhi Police to file its response..Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in her suite at a five-star hotel situated in New Delhi on January 17, 2014. Pushkar’s husband and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is the sole accused in the case, is presently on bail..As per the prosecution, Pushkar was a completely healthy person and the cause of her death was poisoning due to the consumption of Alprazolam..The prosecution’s case is based on the ground that Pushkar was subjected to mental cruelty by her husband due to several controversies surrounding their relationship. Atul Srivastava is the prosecutor in the case..The matter will be heard next on November 15..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.