New Delhi, August 18
A Delhi court on Wednesday discharged senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in a case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s death in a luxury hotel here.
Special Judge Geetanjali Goel passed the order in a virtual hearing.
Tharoor thanked the judge saying it was “an absolute torture for last seven-and-a-half-years” and that it was a “great relief”.
During the arguments, while police had sought framing of various charges, including 306 (abetment of suicide), senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, appearing for Tharoor, told the court that the investigation conducted by the SIT completely exonerated the politician of all the charges levelled against him.
Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at the time.
Tharoor was charged under Sections 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 306 of the Indian Penal Code by Delhi Police, but was not arrested in the case.
He was granted bail on July 5, 2018.
Faith in judiciary stands vindicated: Tharoor
The senior Congress leader said his faith in the Indian judiciary stands vindicated and the ruling brings a “significant conclusion to the long nightmare” which had enveloped him.
Taking to Twitter, Tharoor posted his statement, “This brings a significant conclusion to the long nightmare which had enveloped me after the tragic passing of my late wife Sunanda.”
“I have weathered dozens of unfounded accusations and media vilification patiently, sustained by my faith in the Indian judiciary, which today stands vindicated,” the former Union minister said.
