This high-profile case continues to generate significant legal and public discourse in India, with ongoing developments in the criminal justice proceedings.

The Delhi Police on Monday filed a charge sheet in a Delhi court in connection with the death of Sunanda Pushkar.
The charge sheet has named Sunanda’s husband and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as accused, under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The next date of hearing in the case is May 24.

Sunanda was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

On February 23, Tharoor said he was looking for a conclusion in his wife’s death case.

Incidentally, on that day, Tharoor’s statement came hours after the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy’s appeal challenging the Delhi High Court order dismissing his plea for a Special Investigation Team (SIT)-led probe into the case

Meanwhile, Tharoor on dismissed the charge sheet filed by Delhi Police as “preposterous”.

Tharoor took to Twitter to voice his disagreement with the charges against him. “I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet &intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of the investigation, (contd.),” he tweeted.

1/2 I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet &intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, (contd.)

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 14, 2018

“It does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police. In oct 17, the Law Officer made a statement in the Delhi High Court that they have not found anything against anyone & now in 6 months they say that I have abetted a suicide. unbelievable!”, the tweet read.

2/2) it does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police. In oct 17, the Law Officer made a statement in the DelhiHighCourt that they have not found anything against anyone & now in 6 months they say that I have abetted a suicide. unbelievable!

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 14, 2018

The Delhi Police repeatedly came under fire for delaying the investigation into the case, that reached a conclusion after four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Sunanda Pushkar and what happened to her?

Sunanda Pushkar was the wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. She was found dead in a five-star hotel suite in Delhi on January 17, 2014, under mysterious circumstances. Her death sparked a major investigation that led to the filing of charges against Tharoor.

What are the charges against Shashi Tharoor in Sunanda Pushkar case?

Shashi Tharoor was named as the main accused under IPC sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband subjecting a woman to cruelty). The Delhi Police filed these charges in their charge sheet presented to court in 2018.

Did Shashi Tharoor accept the charges in Sunanda Pushkar death case?

No, Tharoor dismissed the charge sheet as “preposterous” and stated his intention to contest it vigorously. He maintained that no one who knew Sunanda would believe she committed suicide, and rejected any suggestion of his involvement or abetment.

How long did the investigation into Sunanda Pushkar’s death take?

The investigation lasted over four years before the Delhi Police filed the charge sheet. During this period, the case underwent scrutiny including a Supreme Court notice on a plea for a Special Investigation Team (SIT)-led probe filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

What was the next court hearing date in Shashi Tharoor case?

According to the 2018 charge sheet filing, the next date of hearing in the case was scheduled for May 24. The legal proceedings continued beyond this date as the case progressed through the Indian judicial system.