20 January,2014 12:14 PM IST | | Agencies
Union minister Shashi Tharoor’s statement was recorded before a sub-divisional magistrate after his wife Sunanda was found dead in their hotel suite
New Delhi: Union minister Shashi Tharoor yesterday recorded his statement with a sub-divisional magistrate with regard to the mysterious death of his wife Sunanda Tharoor. The statement was recorded under Section 164 CrPC by Vasant Vihar sub-divisional magistrate Alok Sharma. Tharoor reached Sharma's office in Kapashera area around 5.30 pm and stayed at the office for 50 minutes.
Shashi Tharoor with Sunanda's son from a previous marriage, Shiv Menon, during her cremation on Saturday. Pic/AFP
The magistrate also recorded the statement of TV journalist Nalini Singh, who was the last person Sunanda called from her mobile, according to phone records. "The sub-divisional magistrate recorded my statement as Sunanda had talked to me, just hours before she was found dead in the room of the hotel Leela Palace. I also told him that I am ready to cooperate throughout the investigation, if required," said Nalini Singh.
Earlier in the day, Tharoor had written a letter to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde urging him to issue instructions for expediting a probe into the death of his wife. Tharoor said he was "horrified to read the reckless speculation rampant" in the media.
The minister of state for human resource development offered his full cooperation in the probe into the death of 52-year-old Sunanda at a hotel in the capital and said the truth should emerge at the earliest. "In the midst of my mourning, I have finally had a chance to catch up with the media reports and am horrified to read the reckless speculation rampant there," Tharoor said in his letter to Shinde.
"I am appealing to you to issue instructions to the relevant authorities to expedite their investigation and come to a rapid conclusion so that the truth emerges at the earliest," he said. "I pledge full and unstinting cooperation. Nothing short of the truth will end the indignity to which my wife and I are being subject to, at a time when all I seek is to be allowed to grieve in private with her and my near and dear ones."
Doctors on Saturday said Pushkar died an "unnatural, sudden death" with her body bearing "injury marks". Police, however, said "it could be a case of drug overdose or overdose of sleeping pills" but added that things would be clear only after the detailed autopsy report.
