16 June,2011 07:25 AM IST | | Agencies
The Uttarakhand government yesterday said it was ready to order a CBI inquiry into the death of Swami Nigamanand, who was on fast for about four months protesting against illegal quarrying.
"The government had yesterday handed over the inquiry into the death of Swami Nigamanand to the CB-CID.
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But if the Matri Sadan ashram and family members of Swami Nigamanand want inquiry by any other agency or the CBI, we are ready for that also," State Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik told reporters.
Stating that though the postmortem report of Swami Nigamanand had stated coma, septicaemia and degenerative brain disorder as the causes of death and his viscera had been preserved for further forensic examination, Kaushik said the government could also facilitate another sample of his viscera for the satisfaction of his ashram and family.
Swami Nigamanand, who died in a hospital in Dehra Dun on June 13, was on fast since February 19 demanding immediate stopping of illegal quarrying in Ganga and shifting of Himalaya Stone Crusher to elsewhere from the Kumbh area.
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The statement from government expressing readiness for a CBI inquiry came after the pressure mounted on it from various quarters for a thorough probe, including Swami Nigamanand's family members, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva and main opposition Congress besides Sadhus of Matri Sadan ashram.
In Darbhanga, the Swami'su00a0 family members demanded a thorough probe into circumstances leading to his death and accused Uttarakhand government of "insensitivity".
