Indrani case: Jail authorities rule out poisoning, suicide bid

In a twist to the probe into media professional Indrani Mukerjea's hospitalisation last week, jail authorities here today claimed she had suffered from neither drug overdose nor poisoning, ruling out possibility of sabotage or a suicide attempt.
"There was no overdose, nor any poison. Her condition could have worsened as she had briefly stopped taking medicines and was suffering from weakness," said the Inspector General of Prisons Bipin Kumar Singh, adding that Indrani, a prime accused in Sheena Bora murder case, had a history of fainting.
"I have come to the conclusion that there is no evidence of foul play, sabotage or conspiracy. Also there is no evidence of attempt to commit suicide," he said, addressing a press conference at Byculla jail here.

Maharashtra Principal Secretary (Home) Vijay Satbir Singh, referring to media reports, said that the amount of cocaine found in her urine samples was very small.
The amount of cocaine was negligible, and as she was on anti-depression and anti-anxiety drugs, which could be the reason for presence of cocaine in urine, he said.
Bhushan Kumar Upadhaye, ADG, prisons, said pesticides in fruits and vegetables consumed by a person could also cause cocaine to show up in such tests.

"The level of cocaine in her urine was 35 nano grams per millilitres of blood while the normal level is up to 300 nano grams," Satbir Singh said.

IG Bipin Kumar Singh said on September 8 Indrani had fainted in the prison and she was given medicines by the jail doctors.
"On the next day, a psychiatrist from JJ hospital had diagnosed her," he said. "On September 10, she complained of body pain, lack of sleep and restlessness and even then she was treated by jail doctors. Then she was having tablets between September 12 to 26, while between September 26 to October 2, she was not taking any tablets," he said.