A controversy erupted over the cause of the cop's death as two eye-witnesses who were present during the anti-rape protests at India Gate contradicted the police's claim that he died due to injuries suffered in the violence. A doctor at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where Tomar was taken said, the cop had "no major external injury" except for some cuts and bruises or "(no) severe internal injuries".

However, the post-mortem report said the 46-year-old constable died due to cardiac arrest caused by injuries he suffered on his chest and neck "produced by blunt impact", giving Delhi Police relief amid doubts about the cause of his death.

Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) K C Dwivedi said the post-mortem noted that there were injuries on his chest, neck and legs because of which he had a cardiac arrest and he died.