Pawan Kumar's body cremated

Victims family decides to wage a legal battle in his defence

 The body of Pawan Kumar, which was finally handed over to the victim’s family late Tuesday night, was cremated at the Hebbal electric crematorium on Wednesday afternoon.

Pawan, a software engineer, was found dead at a hotel room in Belleville, USA, on June 19.

The body, released by the New Jersey medical examiner, was brought to New Delhi on an Indian Airlines flight, arranged by the Ministry of External Affairs. Later, it was shifted to Bangalore and handed over to the family. The family members then took the body to their residence in RT Nagar.

Despite the family demanding that all documents relating to Pawan’s death and his belongings be given to them, the US authorities have declined to do so, as a criminal investigation was underway.

A death certificate issued by the State of New Jersey was sent along with the victim’s body. However, it does not specify the cause of the death. Contrary to the media reports that Pawan had committed suicide, the death certificate records the cause of death as ‘pending further studies’.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Gopal Krishna, Pawan’s uncle, said the family was relieved to receive the body. Though the family wanted a repeat postmortem done, senior police officials dissuaded the family from doing so, as the legal procedures does not permit it.

“Now that my son is dead, he cannot even defend himself from allegations levelled against him. How do I wage a fight on his behalf,” an inconsolable P Anajaiah, Pawan’s father said.

He said the US authorities have promised to send a copy of all the documents, including the police records, once the final medical report is released and the criminal investigation is completed.

They have set a deadline of 16 to 18 months for completing the process, he added. “After we receive all the documents from the US, we shall initiate a legal case in defence of our dead son,” said Anajaiah.