It is yet not clear if Indrani had attempted suicide or whether there was any negligence or foulplay.
Indrani Mukherjea who was in critical condition for more than 48 hours regained consciousness. According to hospital authorities Indrani is out of danger. However, it is yet not clear whether Indrani had attempted suicide or whether there was any negligence or foulplay. Indrani was rushed to JJ hospital from Byculla jail on Friday afternoon in an unconscious condition after she allegedly overdosed on anti-depressant pills. Earlier, contradictory reports had emerged about her condition with the Hinduja hospital confirming she’d had an overdose of anti-anxiety tablets and the government-run forensic science Lab in Kalina saying there was no evidence of overdose.
“Indrani is conscious. She is responding to our commands. Her condition is good. But she will remain under observation for next 24 to 48 hours before we consult a psychiatrist and seek opinion on discharging her,” Dr T P Lahane, Dean of state-run J J Hospital said.
“She is still drowsy but we have been giving her some fluids including water. Indrani is completely out of danger now,” Lahane said.
Meanwhile, principal home secretary (Prisons) Vijay Satbir Singh said the probe is looking into all aspects including whether the medicines or any other toxic substance she consumed were prescribed by the doctors and if there was an overdose, how did that happen. The JJ Hospital report said no drug trace was found in the gastric test conducted there after Indrani was admitted in an unconscious state.
To a query on the conflicting forensic findings on her suspected drug overdose, Lahane said, “The forensic test is authentic and reliable and we have accepted the findings of the report.”
Dr Lahane had said a report on Indrani’s urine samples from Hinduja Hospital laboratory confirmed that level of benzodiazepine–an anti depressant–was found raised.
Asked if any report has emerged that she had attempted suicide in the prison on Friday where she was lodged under judicial remand, Lahane said “we cannot say anything about that for now.”
Officials said Indrani was reportedly prescribed to take two pills for epileptic problems, one in morning and one in evening, under the supervision of the jail authorities.
Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said, “The investigations were moving at a fast pace under the leadership of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria. However, suddenly he was being promoted and the investigations were handed over to CBI. Is some trying to kill Indrani to shield some accused? If such things can happen to Indrani then there might be a threat to Sameer Gaekwad’s life too.”
Indrani’s daughter Sheena, 24, was allegedly kidnapped from outside National College in Bandra and strangled to death in a car by Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai.
