AIIMS forensic head could be examined in Sunanda case: Bassi

Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi Wednesday said AIIMS forensic department head Sudhir Gupta will be examined if necessary and his affidavit brought on record after he said he was pressurised to declare as "natural" the death of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Stating that it was a new development in the case, Bassi said: "We are collecting all the evidence and necessary statements."

Gupta has filed an affidavit before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) fearing he would be replaced.

"I cannot reveal the further way of probe, but whatever is necessary will be done," Bassi told media persons.

He said a Special Investigation Team, headed by Delhi Police inspector Atul Sood, is already investigating Sunanda's death. The probe is being conducted under Section 174 of the CrPC, under which inquiry is held by police in cases of unnatural deaths.

"If it is necessary to examine Sudhir Gupta, he will be examined and if it is necessary, his affidavit will also be brought on record," Bassi said.

"Whatever is relevant, we will be conducting inquiries keeping in view the legal position of the relevance of the evidence," he added.

Pushkar was found dead in her room at a five-star hotel in Delhi Jan 17.