A probe progress report into the death of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak indicated that it was a case of murder, the Jharkhand police chief said on Wednesday in Ranchi.
"Koderma police have submitted their investigation progress report in the Nirupama Pathak death case. So far, it has supported the murder theory," Director General of Police Neyaz Ahmad told.
"It is indicative of murder. I am satisfied with the investigation and we will try to complete the investigation and reach a conclusion as soon as possible," he said. He said that the report includes the investigation angles, steps taken to carry forward the probe and ambiguities found in the post-mortem report.
22-year-old Nirupama was found dead on April 29 in her parents' house in Tilaya in Koderma district under mysterious circumstances. The Koderma police had filed an FIR against Nirupama's mother Sudha Pathak, after which she was arrested and charged with her murder.
However, later after an appeal to a court by Nirupama's family, an FIR had been filed against her boyfriend Priyabhanshu Ranjan charging him with rape and abetment to suicide.
But her post-mortem examination showed she was smothered to death and that she was 10-12 weeks pregnant. Both Nirupama and Ranjan were journalists based in New Delhi and her parents did not approve of their relationship. Nirupama's family insists she committed suicide.
The DGP said, "We are working with a very clear mind and there is no ambiguity in our investigation as reported in the media. We are focusing on our case," he added. He said, "I have asked the district police to further investigate into the data of the mobile phones and the laptop seized and interrogate more important witnesses."
P Mohan, the civil surgeon in Koderma who is facing charges over ambiguities in the autopsy report, said that the report would be sent to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for an expert opinion. PTI
