Former CBI Director, Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar Found Dead At Home; Police Suspects Suicide

Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief and former Nagaland governor Ashwani Kumar was found dead on Wednesday (7 Octber) in his house in Shimla, Hindustan Times reported.

While the local police has made no formal statement, it is suspected that he died by suicide. The police also found a note, ostensibly written by him, from the spot.

Himachal Pradesh (HP) Police chief Sanjay Kundu immediately went to the spot after receiving the information. He said, the police had begun its investigation in the matter and forensic team had also scanned the crime scene for evidences.

According to reports, 69-year-old Kumar, who also served as the state Director General of Police (DGP), was under depression for sometime now.

After his retirement from the CBI, Kumar had settled down in Shimla and worked briefly for a private university located near here as its chancellor.

The university is currently facing charges of issuing fake degrees.

He along with his wife was seen strolling in the evening in the city, a neighbour told the police.

A 1973 batch IPS officer, Kumar is survived by his wife and son.

Kumar served as DGP for the state between 2006 and 2008 before being appointed director of the CBI for two years.

He served as Governor of Nagaland from 2013 to 2014. During this period, he was briefly also the Governor of Manipur.

(With inputs from IANS)