Dehradun: Uttarakhand government on Wednesday
said it is ready to order a CBI inquiry into the death of
Swami Nigamanand, who was on fast for about four months
protesting against corruption, as pressure mounted on it for a
thorough probe amid allegations that he died of poisoning.
"The government had yesterday handed over the inquiry
into the death of Swami Nigamanand to CB-CID. But if the Matri
Sadan ashram and family members of Swami Nigamanand wants
inquiry by any other agency or CBI, we are ready for that
also, " State Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik told
reporters here.
Stating that though the postmortem report of Nigamanand
has stated coma, septicaemia and degenerative brain disorder
as the cause of death and his viscera has been preserved for
further forensic examination, Kaushik said the government can
also facilitate another sample of his viscera for the
satisfaction of his ashram and family.
Swami Nigamanand, who died in a hospital here on June
13, was on fast since February 19 demanding immediate stopping
of illegal quarrying in Ganga and shifting of Himalaya stone
crusher to elsewhere from Kumbh area.
The statement from government expressing readiness for a
CBI inquiry came after the pressure mounted on it from
various quarters for a through probe, including Swami
Nigamanand`s family members, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret
Alva and main opposition Congress besides Sadhus of Matri
Sadan ashram.
In Darbhanga, the family members of Swami Nigmanand
demanded a thorough probe into the circumstances leading to
his death and accused Uttarakhand government of insensitivity
towards him.
PTI
