Skeleton case: Police await court nod for Partha's narco test

With Partha De - the man found living with his sister Debjani's corpse - holding the key to many unanswered questions, the city police are hoping for the court's green signal to conduct a narco analysis test on him, an officer said.

City police said the test may throw light on the reasons behind Partha's father Arabindo De committing suicide.

Police on June 10 stumbled upon the maggot-infested skeletons of Debjani and two dogs while investigating the death of Arabindo, the owner of the house whose burnt body was found inside a bathroom.

"We tried to interrogate Partha but he hardly has answered any of our questions. We believe a narco test will give us insight into several questions that have remained unanswered. The test may also help us know what made Arabindo commit suicide," a police officer told IANS.

Lodged at a city mental hospital since the recovery of the skeletons, Partha was quizzed by police in June in the presence of two nuns of the Mother Teresa-founded Missionaries of Charity. The presence of the nuns was ensured following repeated pleas by Partha.

However, even if police get the court nod, they cannot go ahead with the test unless Partha gives the consent. Moreover, according to Supreme Court guidelines, even if he consents, the test reports cannot be considered as evidence.

"The test may help us find about an altercation between the father and son days before Arabindo's death, whether the father was aware about Debjani's death and several other things which can help us in piecing together the loose ends," said the officer.

The officer also said the DNA tests of the skeleton will also help in solving the mystery.

"The reports are expected later this month which will establish if the skeleton is of Debjani as also more information about the reasons and time of her death," added the officer.

Investigation so far has revealed that Debjani had been fasting which led to her death nearly 6-7 months back.

Partha during an interaction with media persons revealed that Debjani was into religious fasting in a bid to revive her two dead dogs.

Meanwhile, city-based rights group Association of Protection for Democratic Rights (APDR) has opposed the police's bid for the narco test.

"Narco analysis is a violation of fundamental and human rights. In case of Partha De, it will be more heinous as he is a serious mental patient and will cause serious damage to his mental health," APDR vice-president Ranjit Sur said.

"He is not even in a state of giving consent as he is suffering from strong physiological disorders. Legal validity of consent from a physiological patient is doubtful. We, therefore, demand a stop to this dangerous, undemocratic and unconstitutional act," added Sur.