A FATHER whose son was found drowned in the Thames has vowed to continue to fight for justice after a coroner was unable to rule how he died.

Police issued a missing person’s appeal for Krishna Chummun, of Nelson Road, Edmonton, in November – a month before his body was pulled out of the river.

The 19-year-old went missing on August 7, after going to play football with his friends

Coroner William Dolman ruled an open verdict at Poplar Crown Court today.

Speaking after the hearing at Poplar Coroner’s Court, Krishna’s father Chandrasen praised the coroner for delivering the right verdict.

Mr Chandrasen said: “We can’t say that we have full closure, but we have some hope through the open verdict, so if we want to pursue it further this will help.

“The police got our son’s body in October but did not send it for DNA testing until December, what were they doing in that time? They showed no respect for Krishna’s body, or for the family after this young man’s death.

“If they had co-operated with the coroner they could have sent the body for DNA testing within a week, but they did not; they make excuses, but I am not ready to hear nonsense.”

He said the past few months have been very hard for his family, who took Krishna’s ashes to India.

He also criticised the Metropolitan Police for their handling of the case.

He said: “We want justice, we do not think that has been done.

“Our aim is for an independent investigation by Scotland Yard, as we think the local police have failed us.

“This verdict means we have a chance, even if it takes five, ten years or longer.”

The court had heard evidence that Krishna had previously been treated for a deliberate drug overdose in July 2015 and had been feeling depressed.

His former girlfriend of two years, Alisha Kaur, had been the last person to speak to Krishna on August 7.

Giving evidence, she said he had previously attempted to self-harm in front of her, and had spoken previously of suicide.

They argued on August 7 but “sorted it out”.

However Dr Dolman said he was not convinced that there was sufficient evidence that Krishna had intended to kill himself.

Giving his verdict, he said: “All I can say is, applying the facts to the law, is that we do not know what led to his cause of death. Therefore bound by the law I am not able to give suicide as a verdict, as it is not beyond reasonable doubt.

“Because we can’t be certain of the act itself, I have been guarded in asking questions; there is a lot of evidence that is not of interest to this court.

“What he has said to his girlfriend does not satisfy me in this court. There are many gaps where we do not know exactly what was going on, we do not know his state of mind on the day.”