Dehradun, June 19: The viscera sample of Swami Nigamanand, who died on June 13 during a fast against quarrying in Ganga riverbed, would be sent to a laboratory in New Delhi for forensic tests as part of the probe into allegations that the seer was poisoned.
The decision to send the sample to New Delhi laboratory was taken after the Matri Sadan ashram, to which Swami Nigamanand was associated, made a request in this regard, said Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kewal Khurana.
36-year-old Nigamanand's death sparked off a controversy as the founder head of Matri Sadan and his Guru Swami Shivanand alleged that the seer was poisoned during treatment at the behest of quarrying mafia and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
Nigamanand began his fast on February 19 demanding stopping of quarrying in Ganga. He was admitted to Haridwar district hospital on April 18 and he went into coma on May 2.
Bowing to pressure from several quarters including Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva and main opposition Congress besides Matri Sadan, the state government recommended a CBI probe into the matter on June 15. PTI
