Sunanda murder case: Tharoor lashes out at media, says India needs better and honest journalism

New Delhi, Feb 16: Lashing out at media, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor termed as "false" reports in a section of media here that he was not cooperating with the probe. Last week, police had again questioned Tharoor in the case of his wife Sunanda Pushkar`s murder.

As per an IBN report, "Caught in the middle of the probe into the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has accused media of conducting a witch hunt against him. He blames media, especially Kerala channels for planting false stories against him for the sake of TRPs."

Tharoor`s reaction came as media persons caught up with him here to seek his comment on the reports in a section of the media here had reported that Tharoor could be arrested as he was not cooperating with the SIT.

"I was so surprised about the reports that have surfaced in the media. I even asked the SIT (special investigation team) why they are not issuing a denial," he said.

"The SIT said to me that since not a single official of theirs has spoken to the media, they are unable to issue a denial," added Tharoor who was in the capital city - part of his Lok Sabha constituency - to take part in the closing ceremony of the 35th National Games that was held here Saturday.

"Revolted by the lies in the media about me, esp on Kerala channels. Stories are concocted & attributed to police sources without any basis. Our country needs better & more honest journalism. Not 1 that will broadcast or publish any lie so long as it will titillate & increase TRPs," he tweeted.

"What a sad state we have reduced our press freedom to!," he said in another tweet which showed a picture of a placard which read "Caution: the media is NOT a reflection of reality".

There were reports that the New Delhi police had warned Tharoor for not giving appropriate answers to the several questions asked by the special investigation team.

"If there is such an issue, they would have informed me first rather than going to media. All such reports are totally baseless as I am fully cooperating with the investigation," Tharoor had said earlier insisting that he was fully cooperating in the probe.

Tharoor had reportedly reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday for a five-day programme in his home constituency after taking special permission from the SIT for travelling outside New Delhi.

The police had informed that he should not go outside Delhi without permission.

Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Delhi on Jan 17, 2014. A murder case was registered by the police against unknown people January 1 this year.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)