Was Swami Nigamanand poisoned? - A Report

Amid allegations that Swami Nigamanand was poisoned, authorities today ordered a second viscera test of the seer who died after a four-month fast against quarrying in Ganga bed, even as Congress stepped up attack on the Chief Minister demanding his resignation. (Read: Ready for CBI inquiry into Nigamanand death, says Uttarakhand Govt).

Haridwar District Magistrate Meenakshi Sundaram has decided that another sample of viscera of Nigamanand be taken after the founder head of Matri Sadan ashram and his guru, Shivanand, gave a written request in this regard, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kewal Khurana, a day after the Uttarakhand Government recommended a CBI probe into the circumstances of his death.

Uttarakhand Minister Madan Kaushik had yesterday said that the government is ready for a fresh viscera test if the ashram and his family members are not satisfied.

Though the post-mortem report of Nigamanand had stated coma, septicaemia and degenerative brain disorder as the cause of death, Shivanand had alleged that Nigamanand died of poisoning after he was administered a lethal injection at the behest of quarrying mafia.

The death of Nigamanand on June 13 has sparked intense criticism of the BJP government with opposition Congress today demanding resignation of Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank alleging that the seer could not be saved due to negligence of the state government.

"Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank should immediately resign from the post," he said.
Meanwhile, a tussle broke out between the ashram and seer's family members over taking possession of the seer's body. The family threatened to go on an indefinite fast if the body is not handed over to them for the last rites.