Sunanda case: AIIMS forensic head sticks to his word

Controversy over claims by AIIMS Forensic Department head that he was pressurised to manipulate the autopsy report of Sunanda Pushkar which he resisted, refused to die down on Thursday with Sudhir Gupta sticking to his stand.

Controversy over claims by AIIMS Forensic Department head that he was pressurised to manipulate the autopsy report of Sunanda Pushkar which he resisted, refused to die down on Thursday with Sudhir Gupta sticking to his stand.

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On its part, Delhi Police said it could question former Union minister Shashi Tharoor and Gupta if needed.

Tharoor refused to comment on the controversy, saying it was up to the investigators to resolve it.

"It is a process, we will leave it to investigators to sort it out," Tharoor told reporters.

Gupta maintained that he was pressurised to manipulate the post mortem report of Sunanda, Tharoor's wife, a day after AIIMS rejected his allegations.

"I stand by what I said. Even after the autopsy and before the cremation I had said that this was a case of unnatural death. If someone has a problem or slightest doubt over the autopsy report prepared by me, they can go for a second autopsy," Gupta said.

"How do they know there is no pressure on me? Who were they to clarify that there is no pressure on me? What was the hurry to call a press conference?," he said.

Gupta has alleged that he was pressurised into manipulating the autopsy report but he had refused to show that Sunanda's death was natural.

AIIMS spokespersons Amit Gupta and Neerja Bhatla had on Wednesday said that there was no evidence that any pressure from outside was put on Gupta to alter the autopsy report.