Post-mortem confirms murder of woman scribe in Jharkhand

The mysterious death of a woman journalist at Tilaya in Koderma district of Jharkhand turned out to be a case of murder today and not suicide as suggested earlier.

Superintendent of Police Kranti Kumar said the post-mortem report of the body of the journalist Nirupama Pathak was received today and confirmed her death was caused by "asphyxia as a result of smothering."

Stating that the family members of the victim had misled the police by first claiming she died of eletrocution, Kumar said though the incident had taken place in the morning hours, the police were informed by the evening.

Besides, the victim was strangulated with a rope even after she died, Kumar said adding that a ligature mark was found around her neck.

Pathak, attached with a reputed English business daily from New Delhi, was found hanging in her house on Thursday.

Initial reports suggested she had killed herself over a love affair.