New Delhi: In a turn of events, the forensics report prepared by a panel of doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has ruled out murder in the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
The AIIMS panel was formed at the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which had taken over the case in August.
According to a source in the CBI, the report states that there were no injuries on the body other than hanging. There were also no signs of struggle/scuffle on the body and on the clothes of the deceased. The report states that it is a clear case of suicide.
The findings of the forensic panel were shared with the CBI last week and they are in line with the post-mortem report submitted by Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital earlier.
The 34-year-old actor was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai on 14 June. The Mumbai Police had initially said that it was a death by suicide. But the case soon got mired in controversy when Rajput’s family alleged criminal conspiracy and abetment of suicide against his rumoured girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty. This had resulted in the CBI being handed over the case.
Advocate Vikas Singh, who is representing Rajput’s family, had last week tweeted saying, “The Doctor who is part of AIIMS team had told me long back that the photos sent by me indicated 200% that it’s death by strangulation and not suicide.”
At the time, Dr Sudhir Gupta, who is leading the AIIMS’ forensic panel, had termed the lawyer’s comments incorrect.
ThePrint has reached Dr Gupta via WhatsApp messages and calls. This copy will be updated with his response.
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The developments
The CBI was directed to take over investigation of the case on 19 August, following sustained campaigns on social media and by TV channels that raised doubt over the nature of the case.
The central agency is likely to continue its investigation into the case despite the findings of the forensics panel, according to sources. It will continue scrutinising the angles of suicide.
Till date, over 20 people, including Chakraborty, have been questioned in the case.
“All aspects are still open in the probe. If any evidence comes to light proving otherwise, Section 302 (murder charge) of the IPC will be added, but nothing has come up in the 57 days of probe,” sources in the CBI added.
Last Monday, the CBI had stated that it was conducting a “professional investigation”, looking into “all aspects” of the case.
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