Hiren's diatom test report suggests he was alive when he fell in water: Official

The diatom test report of businessman Mansukh Hiren, whose mysterious death is being probed by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), has suggested that he was alive when he fell into the water, although the report is not conclusive, an official said on Wednesday.

Diatom test is an important tool in the diagnosis and confirmation of drowning deaths.

"The diatom test report has suggested that Hiren was alive when he fell into the water. It identified the proportion of creek water into the lungs. We have now sent the diatom bone samples to a Haryana forensic science lab (FSL)," he said.

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"The investigators have received the diatom test report, but it is not conclusive," he said, adding that the reports of viscera, blood samples, nail clippings are also awaited.

Shivdeep Lande, DIG of ATS confirmed thatthe diatom bone samples have been sent to the Haryana FSL, which has expertise in conducting such tests.

"The ATS will record the statements of three doctors, who performed the post-mortem of Hirenat Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa," he said.

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Another official said that the probe team will also investigate why arrested assistant police inspector Sachin Vaze was present at the hospital while performing the post mortem.

An explosives-laden Scorpio was found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house on Carmichael Road in Mumbai on February 25.

Hiren was found dead in a creek in the Thane district on March 5. Vaze, an "encounter specialist", has been facing heat in the murder case of Hiren, who was in possession of the Scorpio.

The ATS is investigating the Hiren murder case. It had registered an FIR against unidentified person days after Hiren's body was found.