New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was questioned twice today on the alleged murder of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. The first session lasted over four-and-a-half-hours. Later in the evening, the former minister was back again at the office of the Special Investigation Team in Vasant Kunj for another hour-and-half. He left around midnight.
Police sources they needed some clarification regarding statements made by other persons questioned and Mr Tharoor was allowed to leave in the evening to finish some work.
Five others were questioned today: Sanjay Diwan, a friend of the Tharoors, Rajat Mohan, a doctor of Ganga Ram Hospital, Mr Tharoor’s domestic help Narayan Singh, personal assistant Praveen Kumar and driver Bajrangi.
Sources told media that officials of the Economic Offences Wing were present for this second round of questioning, indicating that the police were looking at IPL controversy link. Police sources said Mr Tharoor will be confronted with the testimonies received.
The former Union minister had to resign in 2010 after accusations of corruption linking him to the cricket franchise for his home state of Kerala. Ms Pushkar was allegedly given stakes worth about $15 million (around Rs. 94 crore) for free.
Friends and acquaintances of Ms Pushkar told media that before her death, she had alleged that she had been made to bear the brunt of the IPL controversy.
Mr Tharoor was also questioned on the circumstances under which Ms Pushkar left him at the airport on January 15 last year and checked into a hotel.
Delhi police Commissioner BS Bassi said Mr Tharoor might be called for questioning again if it is need be. Mr Tharoor was questioned for the first time on January 19.
Ms Pushkar was found dead in a hotel suite on January 17 last year, days after she publicly accused her husband of having an affair with a Pakistani journalist. Police claim she had been poisoned, though they are yet to name a suspect. Her viscera samples have been sent to the US for testing.
The police have so far questioned around 20 people. Among them are politician Amar Singh, journalist Nalini Singh and Shiv Menon, Ms Pushkar’s son by an earlier marriage.
