Sunanda's friends extend support to Tharoor, say 'It can never be a murder'

Extending support to former union minister Shashi Tharoor, few of Sunanda Pushkar's friends have recently claimed that the reason for her death could not have been murder.

Reportedly, Pushkar's friends, who are based in Dubai, said that they were surprised at the development surrounding their friend's death.

"It can never be a murder. This is purely politically-motivated and possibly an attempt to sabotage Shashi Tharoor's career. I have known them individually and as a couple, he would never hurt her. A murder is impossible. I have always believed that Shashi is a sharp politician, but unfit for Indian politics and its way of functioning," said Prakash Bhojwani, a friend.

Another of Pushkar's close friend, Riyaz Merchant, who had known Pushkar since 2005, expressed his disappointment at the way in which the investigations have been carried out.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi Police had stated that a case has been registered with regard to the death of Sunanda Pushkar, adding that medical reports have indicated that her demise was due to poisoning.

However, they had denied allegations of deliberate delays in the case, despite the FIR being registered almost a year after Pushkar's death.

Pushkar, who married Tharoor in 2010, had checked into The Leela Hotel in Chanakyapuri a day before her death on January 17, 2014.

Tharoor's aides said the couple had checked into the luxury hotel because of renovation work at his Delhi bungalow.

Prior to her death, Sunanda was embroiled in a spat with Pakistan-based journalist, Mehr Tarar, whom she accused of stalking her husband Shashi Tharoor .