Family, friends seek justice for Sunanda Pushkar

Family and friends of Sunanda Pushkar are in a shock after forensic reports confirmed that she was poisoned to death last year in a Delhi hotel.

Clamour for justice is growing by the minute with family and friends joining the chorus in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I have been saying from the beginning that it is a murder. I have been proved right today. We want justice. All those people behind this crime should be punished,” Ashok Kumar, a cousin of Sunanda, who lives in Jammu, told dna.

Hailing from Bomai village of apple rich town of Sopore, Sunanda’s family migrated to Jammu after the onset of militancy leaving behind all the land, orchards and a grand house. Her father Pushkar Nath Dass retired as lieutenant colonel from the army and one of her brothers is currently serving the army.

Dass clan was known for their riches, benevolence and generosity in Bomai which housed around 100 Pandit families before migration. Such was their influence that their moholla was named 'Dass Pora’ in the apple bowl of north Kashmir. 

Before marrying Shashi Tharoor, Sunanda had married twice. Her first marriage to Sanjay Raina of Srinagar ended in a divorce. Later she married a Kerala businessman, Sujeet Menon, who died in an accident in Delhi. She has a son from her second marriage.

“Whoever has done it should be punished severely. This is connected with politics. And the cause of death should be analysed and probed deeply,” Dr Khema Koul, a childhood friend of Sunanda, told dna.

Dr Koul lives in the neighbouring Seer Jagir village of Sopore where Sunanda used to frequently visit her aunt. “We used to meet often. I want that the justice should be done and all those involved should be punished,” she said.