New Delhi--The Crime Branch is likely to approach senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and volunteers for “recording their statements”, as part of the probe into the death of farmer Gajendra Singh at a recent AAP rally in the capital.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch has still not found a single eyewitness and is still examining camera footage to identify witnesses. “We are still examining the raw footage we received from private news channels,” an SIT officer, who is probing the case, told The Indian Express.
With no headway in the case, investigators now plan to approach senior AAP leaders and volunteers who were present at the spot.
What the probe has established so far is that Singh had spoken to four persons, including his sister, hours before his death. “Police have recorded the statements of his relatives and friends. Based on their statements, police believe that Singh was not upset with his life. Besides, there is no evidence to indicate that Singh had suicidal tendencies,” the officer said.
Investigators believe Singh climbed the tree to draw the attention of TV cameras and make a point.
Singh apparently hanged himself from the tree at the rally being addressed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police, in its preliminary inquiry report submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has said he was egged on by party workers and the crowd to climb the tree. The preliminary report has termed the death an accident and not an intended suicide. “He was egged by party workers and the crowd to climb the tree. The death was an accident and not intended suicide,” a police officer said.
The Crime Branch is trying to find out if the incident was entirely stage-managed. “It could have been planned in a manner where Singh attempts suicide, but is stopped in time. It could be that all the planning went wrong,” an officer said.
The victim’s family members have alleged that it was an AAP leader who had called him to the event. Singh had also told his relatives and friends about the calls made to him by the AAP leader, but police have not found any specific number yet, police
Indian Express
