Srinagar, April 30
Exonerating Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the magisterial probe into the death of National Conference worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf has revealed that the latter had died a natural death and not because of any assault by personnel in the Chief Minister's camp office or by the police.

Yousuf had died on September 30 last year in police custody a day after meeting the Chief Minister.

The media then had carried reports suggesting that the deceased may have been assaulted by personnel in the CM camp office and it could have led to the NC worker’s death.

“The allegations levelled in the media about the deceased are not based on facts, as whatever they have stated is only out of imagination or some motivation,” said Additional District Magistrate MA Ganie in his 41-page report.

“After examining 57 witnesses and making physical examination of hospital, Crime Branch, as well as the CM's camp office in Srinagar, I have come to the conclusion that Yousuf died due to cardiovascular arrest without any external/physical assault, force, injury or mischief upon his body or due to negligence of any authority….I do not hold any person responsible for his death as the same is a natural death,” Ganie said.

The report also cleared Omar's aides - political adviser Devender Rana and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani - of all the charges in the case. The report has come as a major relief for Omar and his aides, days after Justice HS Bedi Commission rejected a plea to cross-examine them. Justice (retired) Bedi is conducting a judicial probe into Yousuf's death. “It is relevant that the Chief Minister was with the deceased for just 10 minutes in the presence of Yousuf Bhat and Salam Reshi (NC workers) as well as MoS Nasir Aslam Wani in a hall when around the hall there were security personnel and private persons whose statements were recorded but none out of them deposed about any overt act or physical assault upon the body of the deceased during the time he was with Omar Abdullah or thereafter in the CM’s camp office….thus apprehensions expressed in the media who are not eyewitnesses is not justifiable,” the report said.

Nasir Aslam Wani in a hall where there were security personnel and private persons,” the report said. “Their statements were recorded but none of them deposed about any overt act or physical assault upon the body of the deceased during the time he was with Omar Abdullah or thereafter in the CM’s camp office….thus apprehensions expressed in the media who are not eyewitnesses is not justifiable,” it noted.

It has also exonerated the police. The report said Omar had handed over Yousuf to the Crime Branch for investigation into the graft charges levelled by NC workers.