Ludhiana, July 31
The post-mortem examination of Ishmeet Singh done by a board of three doctors in civil hospital here this noon said he died of asphyxia caused due to drowning but it was for the police to ascertain if it was an accident or there was some foul play.

The report was subject to confirmation by the chemical examination of the viscera of the deceased. Civil hospital SMO Harvinder Singh said the viscera examination would ascertain if Ishmeet had consumed, knowingly or unknowingly, some substance that contributed to his drowning.

While the Punjab government announced a probe would be held into the incident, relatives, political leaders and several Sikh organisations demanded an “international probe”.

"We agree Ishmeet died due to drowning but we want to know the circumstances under which he died ," said Dr Charan Kamal Singh, fraternal uncle of the singer.

He said the relatives were satisfied with the autopsy report “but there seems to be some mystery behind the incident”.

He said there was negligence on the part of the event management group, which allowed Ishmeet to swim without providing him security.

Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann demanded an international probe, preferably from the Scotland Yard police into the case.

H.S. Bains, adviser to the Chief Minister, said the state government would honour the family's wish of conducting an inquiry. The CM would take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs for a probe into the incident.

He added prima facie evidence suggested his death was an accident. The case would become more clear after the viscera report. Still if the family suspected foul play, they would take up the matter with the External Affairs Ministry.

SSP R K Jaiswal said as the matter was between two countries having good diplomatic ties, the Punjab Police could not conduct a suo motu investigation till the Union government gave a green light.