Guwahati: Former Director General of Assam Police, Shankar Baruah whose residence was searched by the CBI on August 28 last in connection with multi-crore Saradha chit fund scandal, allegedly shot himself dead at his city residence around this noon.
He had been released from a private hospital at around 11:20 A.M Wednesday after he complained of chest pain last week.
Senor Superintendent of Police (SSP), A P Tiwari while confirming the death of the former DGP said that the actual cause of the death could be spelled out by police only after receiving the post-mortem report. “Barua is no more. We are investigating. We cannot say anything now. Only after the investigation we can talk about details,” Tiwari said.
His body was sent for post-mortem in Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) while forensic experts examine the site of the incident inside Baruah’s residence in the heart of the city.
“He is no more. We are examining the site and gathering all required evidences and clues. We will have to wait for the post-mortem report to confirm the cause of his death,” the SSP said. The former DGP allegedly used his revolver to shoot himself.
The CBI team which had searched the residence of the former DGP, also examined his account at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch located in front of his residence here on the same day.
CBI spokesperson in Delhi said that former Director General of Assam Police was neither examined by the CBI nor was he summoned.
Barua’s name got linked with the scam after an employee of Saradha’s media house here alleged last year that he had provided ‘protection’ to them in Assam which was arranged by popular Assamese singer and filmmaker Sadananda Gogoi on behalf of the group.
Gogoi was taken to Kolkata by CBI for further questioning and was subsequently arrested on September 12.
Family sources said Baruah complained of illness after the CBI raided his residence and was hospitalized on two occasions in two private hospitals in the city.
He was first hospitalized on September 2 last and again on three days back.
He was discharged on Wednesday morning. “He came home and within half an hour he went to the terrace and shot himself with a pistol. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by family members,” they said. Non-stop coverage by television channels relating to him had upset the former Director General, the family said.
A large number of senior police officials and host of relatives, friends rushed to the residence of the former DGP on hearing about the incident.
Guwahati Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Prakash Tiwari told PTI that the former DGP’s licenced .32 revolver has been recovered from the site with one empty cartridge and five live rounds. “We have also collected finger prints from the weapon and other articles. Doctors will formally give their report tomorrow (Thursday) ,” he said. The post-mortem of the body is done.
Meanwhile, terming the demise of Barua as “unfortunate”, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, “He was an upright and efficient police officer who discharged his duties conscientiously and assiduously.”
A 1974-batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer, 63-year- old Barua was the DGP of Assam between 2009 and 2011. He is survived by his wife, two sons and 95-year-old mother.
After post-mortem, his body was taken to the Kahilipara campus of Assam Police where senior administrative and police officials paid tributes.
On behalf of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla placed a floral wreath on the body of the deceased.
In New Delhi, CBI spokesperson rubbished some media reports about the agency pressurising the former top police official of the state. “This is a sad and unfortunate incident and CBI expresses its condolences,” the spokesperson said. (With inputs from PTI)
