Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090858520100.htm

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Singer’s father meets PM, seeks CBI inquiry

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The father of Ishmeet Singh, winner of Voice of India reality show whose body was found in the swimming pool of a beach resort in Maldives on July 29, has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation enquiry into the incident.

Gurpinder Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Sunday and submitted a memorandum seeking a CBI enquiry to bring out the truth behind the death of his 19-year-old son. Ishmeet’s family members went to Maldives on September 3 to find out more about the case as they suspected foul play in the incident, the memorandum said.

They found that apart from two other participants no one had seen Ishmeet going to the swimming pool with them on the fateful day.

The family members alleged that the circumstances surrounding singer’s death indicated that something was amiss.

Pointing out certain contradictions in the statements of the witnesses and the organiser of the trip, Ishmeet’s father said he could not have sustained head injuries while swimming.

‘Son was attacked’

He raised suspicion that his son was attacked before he slipped into the pool. The memorandum also mentioned a SMS threat received by Ishmeet on July 22.

The family pointed out that there were several factors -- like taking Ishmeet to Maldives four days before the show, not informing the resort officials about his early arrival, choice of a far-off resort and absence of security personnel with the Indian troupe -- that created suspicion.

Maldives promise

Following a discussion with the family, the Maldives police have promised to open and reinvestigate the case thoroughly, the memorandum said.