Special investigation team to probe Dr Tanwar murder

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in New Delhi

The Delhi police has ordered a six-member special investigation team to probe the murder of Dr S K Tanwar, the personal physician of Congress president Sitaram Kesri.

Dr Tanwar was killed on October 29, 1993, and parts of his body, wrapped in polythene bags, were found in different parts of Delhi. The Tilak Marg police had registered a first information report the same day after Dr Tanwar’s wife, Kaveri, said she had "strong reason to suspect" her husband was kidnapped.

The SIT, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sheodeen Singh, is expected to conduct investigations on a day-to-day basis and report progress. It will also probe any clue provided by the petitioners, the status report filed by the police said. Meanwhile, the police has sought more time to file its progress report, pushing the next hearing to May 5.

Kaveri Tanwar is reported to have told the police that two days before his death, her husband had received a call from Kesri’s house after which he looked depressed. She also reportedly said her husband visited the Congress president two days before he was murdered.

Kaveri said Kesri often used to consult Dr Tanwar, even sending him a jeep for their use. Dr Tanwar’s colleagues said he had many female friends and was often called to conduct medical check-ups of politicians’s wives. He also used to regularly visit Kesri during the night shifts, they said.

Kesri, who was examined by the Delhi police on March 1, said Dr Tanwar was one of the doctors who called upon him to examine his stomach and heart ailments. The current adjournment will bring much relief to Kesri, who is preoccupied with political wrangles with the United Front government.

Speaking to Rediff On the NeT, petitioner All-India Young Lawyer's Association President S N Pandey said, 'It is nearly four years since Dr Tanwar has been murdered but no progress has been made in the investigation… Even today (Friday) the Delhi police has asked for two more days to file a report."

Kaveri Tanwar has been permitted to stay on in government quarters though she is no longer eligible to stay there. The petitioner claimed she was given an extension only to keep her quiet and grateful.

The matter was transferred to the Crime Branch of the Delhi police on January 18, 1994, allegedly due to political pressure. The ostensible reason was to speed up investigation. According to the petitioner’s advocate, Kamini Jaiswal, it was a "ruse" adopted because the "needle of suspicion" pointed at certain influential people. But despite the serious nature of the offence, the case was put on hold till former minister of state of home Rajesh Pilot put his weight behind the petitioner.

"We want this case to be investigated by the CBI," says Pandey. "Only then can the case be investigated in a free and fair manner."