Sunanda Pushkar leaves behind a fortune, but no will

As Delhi police investigates death of Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor, she has left properties, investments, watches and antiques worth millions in India, UAE and Cananda.

As per the declaration of assets filed by Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor to government of India, she owned 12 flats in Dubai worth around Rs93 crore and also a house in Ontario in Canada, which is also worth around Rs3.5 crore as per official records. Shiv Menon, her son from second husband, lives in one of the Dubai flats.  Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda, as per the law, have filed their annual asset declaration statements on 31st January 2013, which also mentions her shares, deposits and cash in various currencies valuing to around Rs seven crores.

In tandem with her exquisite style, Sunanda inherited a collection of antique shahtoosh shawls from her grandmother worth around Rs30 lakh. She has also kept an antique armour and a Humayuni sword from Mughal Emperor Humayun’s era in a storage in Canada, the value of which is unknown.

In absence of a formal will it is to be seen who will inherit her property. “As for as I know, she has not left any will. If that would have been the case, we would have known that,” said her close friend. Sunanda, known for her style and fashion sense also had jewellery worth around Rs two crore in lockers in Dubai, besides an exotic collection of 25 foreign watches worth around Rs five crore.

At her native place in north Kashmir, Sunanda, owns land worth Rs12 lakh and had purchased two cars worth Rs five lakh and Rs nine lakh in Dubai and Delhi respectively. She had clarified that she is not involved in any businesses, but occasionally practiced as real estate consultant in the UAE, which remained her place of domicile.

Sunanda was found dead inside hotel room in Delhi last Friday and SDM inquiry has established she has died of poisoning. Police is investigating whether the dead was homicidal, suicidal or accidental and is awaiting detailed toxicology report of viscera.