Sunanda Pushkar died of poisoning: AIIMS medical board

The board did not rule out the possibility of any injectable poison, in view of a particular mark on Sunanda's body, and said that the FBI report confirmed the presence of lidocaine in her body.The report ruled out death due to combination of drugs and also said that the medical board is "highly afraid" that this case may have led to a complete "botched up" scenario in absence of the FBI report. The Special Investigation team (SIT) probing the case should "thoroughly investigate" if any person had access to injectable agents in view of a syringe mark spotted in Sunanda's body. 

"The Medical Board unanimously concluded that the cause of death in this case is poisoning. "The circumstantial recovery of empty Alprax Tablets (27 tablets) and report of FBI which shows the presence of Alprax in stomach and its contents, spleen, liver section, half of each kidney, blood sample, as well as urine wet clothing, bed cover and bed sheet confirmed the death is due to excessive ingestion of Tablet Alprazolam," the written opinion reads.

It further said, "The Medical Board does not rule out any injectable poison in view of injury number 10 which is an injection prick mark and the same is subsequently clarified by KIMS Hospital as well as the confirmation of presence of lidocaine in FBI report. The dozens of unexplained injuries including teeth bite mark are suggestive of active scuffle prior to death."

Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on Friday refused to comment on the medical board's opinion and said that necessary information regarding the case will be shared once the investigation is complete and a report is submitted at the court.