The preliminary post-mortem prepared by forensic experts of the lady Hardinge Medical College suggested that Manoj Vashisht was killed by a single bullet fired from his own .32 bore countrymade pistol. The bullet hit his head and passed through the window pane. Sources said the preliminary report also pointed out that only one bullet wound was found on Vashisht’s body.
It may be recalled that Vashisht, an accused in several cheating cases, was gunned down on May 16 following a physical struggle with the members of Special Cell officials at Sagar Ratna restaurant in Central Delhi area. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had cracked the whip by transferring the nine members of the Special Cell team after the allegations of ‘staged shootout’ and ‘extortion’ was levelled by the family of Vashisht.
Source said the final post-mortem and ballistics forensics are still awaited but the preliminary report on Vashisht’s body suggested the bullet, which pierced through his head, was shot from his .32 bore. The pistol was recovered from his possession after the incident. The post-mortem was conducted by a panel of five doctors at lady Hardinge Medical College on May 18.
The Special Cell had claimed that the bullet which was shot from the gun of sub-inspector Bhoop Singh might have grazed his waist and hit another window pane. The autopsy report also stated that a wound in the waist was caused due to the forceful impact on the ground as he fell on the ground.
Bhoop Singh in his statement before the Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed to probe the ‘shootout’ had said that Inspector Dharmendra, along with him and seven other officers, entered the restaurant. Two other officers were outside the restaurant when Vashisht took out his pistol and pointed at Dharmendra, who, in self-defence, caught his hand, and a scuffle ensued.