BANGALORE: The Chikballapur police investigating the death of Sqn Ldr (Retd) Baldev Singh (Baldy), director Corporate Planning-Marketing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), have almost come to a conclusion that the veteran test pilot has committed suicide. According to police, the post-mortem report clearly points towards a “clear-cut case of suicide”. However, the police have now sent the chemical samples of his internal organs to the Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) after Dr B V Diwakar, senior specialist with Chikballapur District Hospital, who conducted the post-mortem kept his “final opinion pending”.Baldy’s body was found hanging from a tree at an isolated spot on October 11 near Mirja Circle - the dividing spot between Brahmagiri Hills and Nandi Hills. The Express Investigation Team (EIT) visited the spot on November 9 and also got in touch with Baldy’s brother Harjit Singh.The post-mortem report was submitted to police on November 4. “We have sent the chemical samples of the internal organs to the FSL and are awaiting results of the same,” B Iyyanna Reddy, Investigating Officer and Sub-Inspector, Chikballapur Rural police station, told EIT. He said the FSL report will take 2-3 months, considering the backlog.Dr Diwakar told the EIT after conducting the post-mortem that it is almost confirmed that the cause of the death was “suicidal hanging”. “The carotid, behind the neck had blocked as a result of the hanging,” he said and added that the knot of the turban, which the deceased is said to have used to hang, was below the chin.In a typical suicidal hanging, the knot is found behind the neck and the ligature mark is found around the neck. But in the case of Baldy, the knot was below the chin and the ligature mark was found behind the neck, Dr Diwakar said.The doctor also ruled out any foul play and predicted that the FSL report too will substantiate his claim. “From what I have seen, it’s a typical suicide and once the FSL report comes, I will give my final opinion,” he said. The police on the other hand have given enough hints to the EIT that the case will be formally closed if the FSL report too turns negative. While there is no official probe yet from HAL or the Ministry of Defence, Baldy’s friends in the Indian Air Force, colleagues in the company and a large section of officers feel that the cause of death must to be probed. [email protected]
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