E-Paper
Scribe’s death: Docs destroyed proof: Cops
The absence of conclusive evidence and destruction of internal body parts may prove to be stumbling blocks for the police probing the death of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak.
The absence of conclusive evidence and destruction of internal body parts may prove to be stumbling blocks for the police probing the death of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak.
Pathak (22) was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her home in Jharkhand’s Koderma district on April 29.
The police said inept handling of the case by the medical board that conducted the autopsy was a setback to the probe. Investigating officials said medical officers showed unnecessary haste in disposing of the body.
“As there is no physical evidence of the body, we are left to rely on circumstantial evidence to crack the case,” said Superintendent of Police, Koderma, G. Kranthi Kumar. “We received the post-mortem report on May 2, two days after the body was handed over to the family.”
Pathak’s mother Subha was arrested after the post-mortem confirmed the journalist was smothered to death. Pathak, who was pregnant, wanted to marry Priyavanshu Ranjan. But her family was against the marriage because he belonged to a different caste.
