Thrissur: The controversy over the death of Kalabhavan Mani has taken a new turn after the medical team that examined the lab reports conveyed to the Crime Branch that his viscera samples tested at Central Forensic Lab in Hyderabad contained almost double the amount of methanol found at Regional Analytical Lab in Kakkanad.
Sources close to CB said the Central lab report confirmed about 44.5 mg of methyl alcohol, while the Kakkanad lab found only up to 26 mg, and such a high level of methanol could well be the reason for his death. However, the Central lab found no traces of pesticide, whereas the Kakkanad lab found Chlorpyrifos in his viscera.
Mani’s brother R.L.V. Ramakrishnan said the new development had added credence to his claim that it was not a natural death as made out to be. A senior member of the investigation team told DC that since the probe now handed over to the CBI, it was up to the central agency to look into the alleged conspiracy.
“We could not find anything to prove foul play. The lab reports are showing different results, and the same forensic lab report says there was no pesticide. Hopefully, the CBI will give an explanation for the presence of high level of methanol,” he said.
