CBI files closure report in Sachan death case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a closure report in the murder case of Deputy CMO Dr Yogendra Singh Sachan.

Lucknow: After 14 months of investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed its closure report in deputy CMO YS Sachan`s death case, saying forensic evidence pointed to suicide.

The agency, which took up the case from Lucknow Police last year, filed its report before the Special CBI court saying no evidence indicating murder of 52-year-old Sachan was found by it. The premier agency came to the conclusion as forensic evidence indicated that although body found in the district prison toilet here on June 22, 2011 had deep cuts, there was "no injury on inaccessible parts" and there were no cuts on clothes, CBI said in its report. It found strong evidence pointing that Sachan was disturbed and stressed - after UP Police alleged his role in the murder of two chief medical officers -- VK Arya and BP Singh -- and he had even stopped taking meals. While the CBI claimed there was no evidence indicating murder of Sachan, it also claimed that there was act of omission and commission by four jail officials, including the then Inspector General for allegedly suppressing some important evidence. The agency, while recommending departmental action against them, alleged: "There were acts of omission and commission on the part of UP Police personnel including the then Warden, the then Head Warder and the then IGP (Jail Administration and Reform Services), due to which it some important evidence was suppressed". The agency claimed that panel of doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences came to conclusion that death was caused by "ante-mortem (prior to death) hanging associated with multiple suicidal wounds". During the probe, the CBI scanned CCTV footage of the jail and main gate which, it claimed, did not reveal any suspicious movement of any vehicle on June 22, 2011 when the body was found in the prison toilet. In its report, CBI said that Sachan being a doctor knew well the human anatomy and inflicted injuries in vital areas including neck, elbow/arms, wrist and groin, which are "common sites" of wounds in suicide cases. "All the injuries were muscle-deep suggesting hesitation wounds which are common in suicidal cases. Twin parallel incised wounds on the wrist & both elbows are suggestive of self inflicted wounds," the report claimed. The CBI said the Sachan was under pressure after his alleged role in the murder of chief medical officers -- VK Arya and BP Singh -- surfaced and he was made accused by Uttar Pradesh Police. The CBI said probe has revealed that murder of Arya allegedly by shooters hired by Sachan and subsequent arrest of wrong persons by Lucknow Police in the case emboldened him. "During financial year 2010-11, a total amount of Rs 19.35 crore was spent by the office of CMO (Family Welfare) under NRHM scheme in Lucknow district. During his tenure of three months as in-charge CMO (Family Welfare), Dr Sachan had spent Rs 8.21 crore. Thus during his very short tenure, he spent a substantial amount," the report claimed. It said Sachan was unhappy with the posting of Dr BP Singh as new incumbent as he was actively pursuing enquiry against him for alleged misappropriation of NRHM funds. It claimed Sachan allegedly got him shot dead on April 02, 2011 through contract killers hired by him. The CBI said although he was questioned by the police on April 04, 2011, there was no evidence against him and he was not arrested. Once police got evidence, he was arrested by the police and put in Lucknow Prison. After his arrest, Sachan started accusing police of not arresting another CMO AK Shukla and making him scapegoat in the case. "Evidence has come on record to the effect that Sachan had been alleging that AK Shukla was not being arrested and only he is being targeted. He even wrote a letter dated 11.6. 2011 threatening to reveal Shukla’s involvement in the murders of CMOs in order to pressurise Shukla and police," the closure report claimed. However, the alleged threat did not yield the "desired results". On the contrary, the Cabinet Secretary in a press conference dubbed him a key conspirator in the murders. The CBI claimed this perturbed Sachan and he remained agitated and depressed. The CBI claimed after his alleged complicity in the murders of two CMOs, Sachan realised that he was "driven to wall "and alleged accomplice Shukla, an influential doctor, did not come to his help. "He was frustrated, angered, helpless and depressed. Since the media widely reported his involvement, Sachan attempted to clear his name from the murder cases of CMOs by a note/letter addressed to the media which was recovered from his belongings and taken away by then IG Jail of UP Police. It is indicative that Sachan took the extreme step after writing the note to media," the CBI claimed. The agency claimed that Sachan first attempted to commit suicide by "inflicting incised wounds" but remained unsuccessful as it did not cut any major blood vessel resulting in very slow bleeding. It said under apprehension of being noticed by someone, who might save him, "he first tried to sit on commode, applied slipping knot with the belt and hanged himself”. "Presence of clotted blood on the fingertips of the right hand of the deceased indicates self infliction of wounds. All dripping/tricking of blood on side wall of the toilet, presence of blood drops in the wash-basin and tricking of blood on the arms and legs of deceased indicate that the deceased was standing/walking while he was bleeding.” "Presence/recovery of hair of the deceased from the sill of the ventilator of the toilet indicates that the buckle end of the belt was entangled in the ventilator by deceased himself. Presence of blood on the grill of the ventilator also proves this fact," the agency concluded. The agency said medical board and expert`s report suggest that injuries were suicidal in nature which is in consonance with other evidence which came on record indicating that it was a case of suicide. PTI