The certificate of death issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has nowhere mentioned the exact cause of the death of city-based techie Pawan Kumar (26), who was found dead in a motel last month. In the ‘Immediate cause of the death’ column, it states ‘pending further studies’. Even in the ‘manner of death’ column, it is mentioned as ‘pending investigation’. It is almost 22 days and even now, the US authorities are unable to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Pawan’s father P Anjaiah said, “We are still in the dark about the cause of Pawan’s death. Moreover our request for taking a second opinion on Pawan’s death by subjecting the body to another autopsy at a government hospital in the city was turned down by the city police. We had approached the police commissioner’s office seeking permission. The requisition was sent to the jurisdictional police. The local police refused citing certain legal aspects and have issued it in writing.
“If we were given a chance for a second opinion, we would have known the cause of the death. The US authorities have stated that it will take nearly 14 to 18 weeks for them to send the three-page death note written by Pawan. Except for the death note, no other documents, including the first investigation report, will be given to us. We fear that the cause of the death will remain a mystery forever. We will wait till the time sought by the US police. If the death note is not issued even then, we will seek legal help”, Mr Anjaiah added.