New Delhi: In a shocking news, Sunanda Pushkar, who was upset over an alleged extra-marital affair between her Union Minister husband Shashi Tharoor and a Pakistani journalist, was found dead in a five-star hotel room which police suspect may be a case of suicide.
The body of 52-year-old Pushkar, a woman entrepreneur who married Tharoor in August 2010, was found in mysterious circumstances in luxury Leela Palace hotel in South Delhi, top police sources said.
What led to Sunanda Pushkar's death: Some theories
The Minister's private secretary Abhinav Kumar is said to have telephoned the police control room around 2100 hours after which personnel from Sarojini Nagar police station rushed to the hotel in a posh area of South Delhi.
Police sources speaking on condition of anonymity said they suspect it could be a case of suicide. However, no suicide note has been found so far.
Read here: Shashi Tharoor, hotel staff quizzed; CCTV footage, call details under scrutiny
Sunanda was also suffering from lupus and was diagnosed with stomach Tuberculosis.
The spokesperson of the hotel said: "We can confirm the news to you, we are collecting more facts".
Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said inquest proceedings have been initiated by the sub-divisional magistrate of the area.
Any death within seven years of marriage is legally required to be investigated by the sub-divisional magistrate.
Kumar told reporters at the hotel that Tharoor and Pushkar were staying in a suite since Thursday as some painting work was on at home. The Minister was away throughout the day in the AICC, he said.
When he came back around 8:30 PM, he found the door of her room inside the suite locked from the inside. She seemed to be sleeping in a normal way but later it was found she was dead.
Unconfirmed Reports say the hotel staff knocked at Sunanda's door at 7 pm and after getting no response from Sunanda, the staff opened the door to find her motionless.
Kumar said there was no sign of foul play but whether it was natural death or not cannot be said now. "The cause of death and the time of death, we cannot say now," he said.
The minister was in the hotel late in the night when the police sealed suite no.345 on the third floor and police were making arrangements to take the body to AIIMS for a possible post mortem.
Last time she was seen around 3.30 in the evening at the hotel lobby, sources said.
News channels quoting Tharoor's relatives said that the Union Minister was wailing on the phone while disclosing the news.
Forensic experts along with police were at the spot to examine the scene of occurrence. Kumar said Pushkar was a little unwell Thursday morning.
Asked about the cause of death, Rajan Bhagat said there is no apparent sign which can reveal that. On when the post mortem would be conducted, he said a decision on it will be taken under the supervision of the SDM doing the inquest proceedings.
Late in the night President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Tharoor and condoled Pushkar's death.
"I am deeply saddened at your loss. May God give you strength in this hour of grief", Manmohan told Tharoor.
Read here: Sunanda Pushkar's death shocks Kerala capital
Pushkar and Tharoor were at the centre of a raging controversy in the last two days when reports emerged that she was upset over reported text and tweet messages between her husband and Mehr Tarar, Pakistani journalist.
Upon hearing the news of Sunanda Pushkar's death, Mehr Trar tweeted: "What the hell. Sunanda. Oh my God."
"I just woke up and read this. I'm absolutely shocked. This is too awful for words. So tragic I don't know what to say. Rest in peace,Sunanda," she added.
Sunanda Pushkar - File photo
Late Thursday night, Pushkar had tweeted that the Pakistani journalist was 'lying'.
Pushkar had also tweeted this: "Will try got so many issues diagnosed in KIMS that now who knows when I got 2 go with joy Hastay hua jayegay."
Tharoor was present at the day-long AICC session which ended around 5 PM. This was the third marriage for both of them. She had a 21-year-old son, Shiv Menon, from her second marriage.
The couple, who were always in some sort of controversy or the other, reportedly fought over the alleged affair which came to light when Tharoor claimed his twitter handle was hacked. He made the declaration after purported controversial tweets were posted from his accounts and were believed to be addressed to the Pakistan-based journalist.
Pushkar had told couple of newspapers that she was considering divorce from Tharoor in the wake of the alleged extra-marital affair. On her part, Mehr denied Pushkar's allegations of her stalking Tharoor or having an affair with him. However, after the media carried the war of words on the twitter following which the couple issued a statement yesterday, claiming they were happily married.
Next: Politicians, celebrities mourn Sunanda's death
Politicians, celebrities mourn Sunanda's death
New Delhi: Political leaders and celebrities, including Union Minister Kapil Sibal, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and filmmaker Karan Johar, on Friday condoled the death of Sunanda Pushkar whose body was found at a five-star hotel here.
"Terrible terrible news coming in about Sunanda Tharoor," Omar tweeted while Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said "deeply shocked to hear about Sunanda. My heartfelt condolences to my friend and colleague Shashi Tharoor and their family."
His cabinet colleague Milind Deora aid it was 'shocking'. "Very, very shocking & sad. My heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones," he tweeted.
Entrepreneur Raj Kundra, wife of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, said he was saddened by the 'untimely death' of Sunanda.
"She was a good lady and didn't deserve to go like this. God bless her soul," he tweeted.
Karan Johar expressed described Sunanda's death as 'tragic'. Actor Dia Mirza said she was deeply shocked and saddened.
"Such a lively, friendly and warm person. Heartfelt condolences @ShashiTharoor," she tweeted.
Industrialists Naveen Jindal and Vijay Mallya also expressed their condolence.
While Jindal said "extending our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor. Hard to accept she is no more with us #RIP," Vijay Mallya said, "Shocked. Just met her over new year's. Vibrant as always. RIP Sunanda Tharoor."
Founder of the Indian Premier League and Champions League T20 Lalit Modi said it was 'shocking and extremely sad news about Sunanda'.
BJD leader Baijayant 'Jay' Panda tweeted "shocked to hear of Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor's untimely death! May God rest her soul in peace…"
"I was completely shocked and could not believe it," said actor Anil Kapoor.
Singer Sonu Nigam said it was unbelievable that a person like her has left like this and actor Anupam Kher said "...she is not a person, who will kill herself."
Film producer Kunal Kohli said "it's disturbing what social media can lead through....We have to see what is going on in our society and where social media is taking us to."
Ishaan, one of the twin sons of Shashi Tharoor and a journalist with the Time magazine, asked for privacy. He tweeted, "I would request that everyone please respect our family's privacy at this moment."
His brother Kaniskh retweeted Ishaan's tweets and asked for more privacy to the family.
Congress MP Priya Dutt tweeted "cant believe she is no more. Sunanda was vivacious and her positivity was infectious. May her soul rest in peace. Strength to shashi."
Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi assembly and senior BJP leader Harsh Vardhan offered his condolences to the family. He tweeted, "Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor dead.Sad news. Myheartfelt condolences to her son and Mr ShashiTharoor.May her soul rest in peace."
Writer Taslima Nasreen tweeted, "Whoever is the culprit, it is always the woman who dies at the end. #Sunanda"
Tweets on Sunanda Pushkar
Kapil Sibal @KapilSibal: Deeply shocked to hear about Sunanda. My heartfelt condolences to my friend and colleague Shashi Tharoor, and their family.
Nirupama Rao @NMenonRao: We will miss her engaging charm, joie de vivre, and warmth. RIP #SunandaPushkar. Sincere condolences to Minister #Shashi Tharoor.
Anupam Kher @AnupamPkher: I am Stunned to know about Sunanda Pushkar’s sudden death. She was bright, forthright, loving & full of life. Really sad & tragic.
Javed Akhtar ?@Javedakhtarjadu: It is shocking that some one like Sunanda , full of zest for life, full of joy and happiness is no more . Deepest condolence to Shashiji
Sonu Nigam @sonuniigaam: I can't believe my dear friend Sunanda Pushkar has left us all. Am shattered. What a lovely soul. Zindadil Catastrophic news.
Milind Deora @milinddeora: RIP Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor. Very, very shocking & sad. My heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones
Naveen Jindal @MPNaveenJindal: Extending our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor. Hard to accept she is no more with us #RIP
Aditi Rao Hydari @aditiraohydari: What is going on... Uffffff... Horrible :( “@ShivAroor: Sunanda Pushkar's body found in room in Delhi's Leela Hotel. Suicide suspected.”
Rituparna Chatterjee @MasalaBai: Mehr's last direct tweet to Sunanda Pushkar was "now get some rest. God Bless." Really, really sad.
Sherlyn Chopra @SherlynChopra: Just got to know that Sunanda Pushkar has passed away!!! Utterly Shocking!!!!
Poonam Pandey @iPoonampandey: Shocked to hear about Sunanda Pushkar passing.
