Priyabhanshu Ranjan’s family demands CBI probe into Nirupama Pathak death case

RANCHI - Family of Priyabhanshu Ranjan, the boyfriend of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak, who was found dead in mysterious circumstances at her home in Jharkhand’s Koderma District on April 29, demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident on Monday.

“We are filing a criminal writ petition in the High Court. The investigation that is going on is contradictory on the basis of two FIRs. Priyabhanshu wants that case should be handed over to the CBI for proper and complete investigation,” said Rajiv Kumar, advocate of Priyabhanshu Ranjan and his family.

The advocate also claimed that they were about to get married, but the girl’s family did not approve of their relationship.

“They were about to get married. The wedding was arranged on 6th of March. Father of the girl sent a letter on 2nd March. He has written so many things that show that their mentality is of 16th century,” said Kumar.

On April 9, Priyabhanshu Ranjan’s parents claimed to have mobile proof that could nail the complicity of her parents in what they say is murder.n a startling claim, Priyabhanshu’s father said he had Nirupama’s last SMS in which she said that she had been locked inside a bathroom and was not being allowed to go out.

He also said that a similar message had come from his son, who was in Delhi.

The revelation came Koderma Police served notices to the three doctors who performed a post mortem on Nirupama Pathak.

On Saturday, students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) organised a candlelight vigil in New Delhi to seek justice for Nirupama.

Following a Jharkhand court directive, the state police had lodged a complaint against Priyabhanshu. The court directed the police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Ranjan, following charges levelled by Nirupama’s arrested mother Subha Pathak.

Taking cognizance of Subha Pathak’s petition, the Chief Judicial Magistrate N K Agarwal has asked Tilaya Police to file the FIR under IPC Sections 306 (abetment to suicide), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 420 (cheating) against Priyabhanshu Ranjan.

Nirupama’s mother has described her daughter’ death as a suicide case.

However, the post-mortem report revealed that Pathak died due to asphyxia as a result of smothering. A 10 to 12 week-old foetus was also found during the autopsy.

Suspecting the death to be a case of honour killing, the police had arrested Subha. (ANI)