New Delhi: A senior forensic expert from
AIIMS today pointed out ambiguities in the autopsy report of
journalist Nirupama Pathak, suspected to have been a victim of
honour killing, and has sought setting up of a medical board
for further probe.
"I have gone through the post-mortem report of the
deceased, on the basis of which I am neither ruling out
smothering nor ruling out suicidal attempt. There is a need
for further investigation in the case," Sudhir Gupta,
associate professor, forensic medicine, AIIMS said.
He said Jharkhand and Delhi police had sought his views
on the report.
"By going through the details of the reports prepared by
the Koderma doctors, there are findings which says there are
ligature marks (on the neck). These ligature marks are
generally seen in hanging.
"In my opinion, neither can I conform that the cause of
asphyxia is due to smothering nor I am rejecting the cause of
asphyxia as a result of hanging, which is suicidal in nature,"
he said.
22-year-old Nirupama was found dead at her home in
Jharkhand`s Koderma district April 29. The postmortem report
says Nirupama was smothered to death.
While Sudha Pathak, the victim`s mother has been arrested
on charges of killing her, the Koredma police has also filed a
case against her journalist boyfriend Priyabanshu Ranjan for
abetment to suicide besides various non-bailable offences.
"I neither have rejected theory of suicide nor I have
accepted the theory of homicide. It required a further
deliberate discussion and forensic examination concluding the
case, the forensic expert said.
Gupta said he has suggested for forensic analysis of the
deceased`s clothes, the pillow she used as well the scene of
crime and blood stain.
After thorough forensic examination, a competent board
is required to be formed and certain questions about the
medical findings recorded in the report (autopsy) and the
conclusion derived by the doctors in the form of smothering
required to be seen whether it is substantiating the medical
facts and medical literature and the medical book of forensic
or not, he explained.
On the basis of all these results, the board can give
a consolidated opinion on whether it is a case of smothering,
a case of murder or hanging or suicide, Gupta added.
PTI
