Sunanda Pushkar death case: Court adjourns order on framing of charges against Shashi Tharoor

New Delhi, July 02: A Delhi court on Friday adjourned an order on the issue of framing of charges against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in a case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death in a luxury hotel in the national capital.

Pushkar death case is described as one of the most mysterious and controversial cases in recent times. Eversince her body was found dead in her suite at Delhi's Leela Hotel on January 17, 2014, several conspiracy theories and allegations have come to fore.

On January 16, 2014, Sunanda Pushkar and Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar had a spat on Twitter over the latter's alleged affair with Shashi Tharoor. A day later, she was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Delhi hotel. Post morten report said that it appeared to be a case of sudden, unnatural death. Reportedly, Sunanda had injury marks on her body and nominal traces of anti-anxiety drug Alprazolam were found in her stomach.

The couple was staying in the hotel, as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time.

Tharoor was charged under sections 498A and 306 of the Indian Penal Code by Delhi police, but was not arrested in the case.

He was granted bail on July 5, 2018.

A timeline of Sunanda Pushkar death case

Jan 17, 2014: Pushkar found dead at Delhi's Leela Palace hotel, a day after she was involved in a Twitter spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar over the latter's alleged affair with Tharoor.

Jan 21: The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) who was heading the inquest says Pushkar died of poisoning.

Jan 23: The probe into the death of Pushkar transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

Jan 25: Case transferred back to Delhi Police.

Jan 1, 2015: Delhi police registers FIR against unknown persons under the section of 302 (murder).

Jan 15, 2016: Delhi Police receives AIIMS medical board's 'advice' on the FBI lab report on viscera samples of Pushkar to identify the cause of her death.

Her viscera samples were sent to the FBI lab in Washington DC in February 2015 to determine the kind of poison that killed her after an AIIMS medical board identified poisoning as the reason behind her death but did not mention any specific substance.

The FBI report virtually rules out the theory of 'polonium poisoning' having caused her death.

July 6, 2017: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy moves HC for SIT probe into Sunanda Pushkar's death.

Oct 26: HC dismisses Swamy's plea saying his PIL was a textbook example of political interest litigation.

Jan 29, 2018: Swamy moves SC *Feb 23: SC seeks reply of Delhi Police on Swamy's plea.

Apr 20: Delhi Police, in its affidavit filed in the apex court, says a draft final report has been prepared after conducting "thorough professional and scientific investigations" in the case.

May 14: Delhi Police files charge sheet in the case.

July 5: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor granted regular bail by a Delhi court in his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death case.

April 12, 2021: Court reserves order on framing of charges against Shashi Tharoor