The day after: egg on CBI’s brave face

The autopsy on Mukendra Paswan and Sheonath Sao confirmed that death had bveen caused due to poisoning. Gaya Medical College superintendent Dr S N Sharma attributed it to consumption of aluminium phosphate, freely available under the brandname Salphas and used as an insecticide in granaries. He ruled out accidental consumption, saying the substance had a terrible odour. He said once consumed, it would take effect within five minutes.

Meanwhile, Gaya district magistrate Brajesh Mehrotra said an Indira Awas Yojana house each would be provided to the families of Paswan and Sao. Interim relief of Rs 10,000 each has already been extended to the families.

Sheonath’s father Vaidyanath Sao said his son had come home around 5 pm Sunday. ‘‘He was drunk and was smoking a cigarette. I rebuked him mildly. Soon after, I found him frothing from the mouth. He simply collapsed.’’

Mukendra’s brother Danesh Paswan alleged that pressure was being brought on him to own up for the Dubey murder. Mukendra and Sheonath’s deaths angered local Bajrang Dal activists who today assaulted the foster father of Pradeep Kumar, the rickshaw-puller and key eyewitness in the Dubey case who is now untraceable. All are from village Katari.

Meanwhile, RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, while pointing fingers at the Centre, saw a conspiracy behind the deaths of the two suspects. He called for an inquiry, saying those behind Dubey’s murder were now out to derail the probe.

Unthinkable,severe
blow to our probe: CBI chief