Unable to resolve murder mystery of British charity worker – Michael Blakey - Himachal Pradesh Police has sought assistance from Britain government to summon the prime suspect back to Dharamsala for interrogation. “We have sent communiqué to British embassy asking them to bring the prime suspect in the Blakey murder case to Dharamsala” confirmed a senior police official to Hindustan Time.
Earlier Police had moved an application through Ministry of External Affairs for bringing back prime suspect Pawan Bhardwaj back to India. But the officials say that request made through MEA went in vain, as there was no response from the British government. This time the investigating officer himself wrote to British embassy in Delhi, maintaining that police cannot conclude the investigations without questioning Pawan Bhardwaj. The case is being investigated by Deputy Superintendent of Police.
“Since Bhardwaj is not accused in the murder case we cannot seek his extradition. We can only make a formal request to British government” said an official of Crime Investigating Department (CID).
After Dharamsala police cops failed to trace the killer of 23-year-old Michael Blakey, the case was transferred to CID. Working for non profitable organization Ton-Len, Blakey’s body was found covered with stones near stream flowing on the boundary of St John's Church cemetery in November 2006. The cold blooded murder of foreigner had rocked the otherwise sleepy hill town.
Initially the police sleuths believed robbery to be the prime cause of killing, but later they suspected local youth for killing Blakey. Police arrested local youth Pawan Bhardwaj husband of Rachel Owen another Briton who worked in the same charity. Bhardwaj who ran tea stall near Ton Len office in Mcleodganj was discharged by the court and later moved to Scotland with Owens. The police investigations moved at snails pace, since the past four year due to repeated transfers of investigating officers. Since the murder investigating officers have been changed four times.
{{/usCountry}}Initially the police sleuths believed robbery to be the prime cause of killing, but later they suspected local youth for killing Blakey. Police arrested local youth Pawan Bhardwaj husband of Rachel Owen another Briton who worked in the same charity. Bhardwaj who ran tea stall near Ton Len office in Mcleodganj was discharged by the court and later moved to Scotland with Owens. The police investigations moved at snails pace, since the past four year due to repeated transfers of investigating officers. Since the murder investigating officers have been changed four times.
{{/usCountry}}“Michel was very humble boy, at least his murders should be caught” says Tibetan monk Jamyang who heads Tong Len, and is in constant touch with Blakeys family.
Slain charity worker’s family had expressed dissatisfaction over investigation conducted by Dharamsala police, and had asked the British government to exert pressure on Indian government for resolving the case at the earliest. The Lancashire coroner’s court has sent an inquest report to the Indian police that include statements of Blakey’s colleagues and friends, including Owen and Bhardwaj. Blakey's autopsy report confirmed there was a “sustained and forceful assault”.