The men and women who join U.S. intelligence organizations are patriots who choose to serve their country in silence and not for public recognition. Most labor for years in anonymity — some risking their lives in the process — without being able to discuss their work. Their achievements are usually shrouded in secrecy. Given the sensitive nature of their work, Congress historically has been deferential to intelligence officers not accused of wrongdoing and has avoided drawing them into political disputes. That is, until now.

Police suspect that Mahalingam could have committed suicide but await the forensic report before confirming it. Mahalingam’s body was found in a badly decomposed state. So, doctors were reluctant to perform an autopsy. However, in the face of the family’s insistence, the doctors gave in. The post-mortem tests were conducted on Sunday. Samples of his teeth, liver, viscera, skin and a part of brain were sent for a DNA test to a forensic laboratory in Hyderabad.

Even after the body was found, the scientist’s death remained shrouded in mystery. The police are still clueless.

[…]

Given the sensitive nature of the case, the investigations had been handed over to the Intelligence Bureau.