Toxic Screen negative for dope, Munde says Rahul was poisoned

New Delhi, Jun 3 (UNI) In an intriguing twist to the Rahul Mahajan case, the Apollo Hospital today said the son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan tested negative for dope, including cocaine, triggering claims from his family that he may have been poisoned.

Police said it was probing ''all angles'' of the case.

Rahul -- who was brought to the hospital in serious condition yesterday allegedly after an overdose of champagne and cocaine -- was in much better health. He, however, remained under close observation in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

A day later, no clear answers were forthcoming on what exactly happened at Mr Mahajan's 7, Safdarjang Road residence on Thursday night, on why Rahul suddenly fell ill and the late BJP leader's close aide Bibek Moitra died.

Police said it was still in the process of examining evidence.

Based on initial information, a case under the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act had been registered, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Agarwal said.

Forensic test reports were not ready while reports of medical tests done a few hours after Rahul fell ill showed low level of blood alcohol and no sign of drug abuse.

Citing a hospital bulletin today that Rahul tested negative in the toxic screen test, BJP leader Gopinath Munde said he suspected a deep rooted conspiracy behind his nephew's sudden illness and the death of Mr Moitra.

Lawyers of four men present at Mr Mahajan's residence on Thursday night -- all of whom surrendered to police -- however, maintained that their clients did see Rahul and Mr Moitra snorting cocaine.

Amid the swirl of allegations and claims, Rahul talked and demanded water, raising hopes he may soon explain the befuddling story of his illness and Mr Moitra's death.

Apollo Hospital Director Anupam Sibal said his condition had improved considerably over the last 24 hours. He talked coherently and even asked for water, he said.

''He is very well oriented in terms of time, space and person.

His blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, blood sugar and urine output have stabilised. The liver also has shown improvement''.

Intrusive ventilator support under which he was put immediately after he was brought to the hospital early yesterday, was weaned off and he was put on non-invasive ventilation.

Police said it was still questioning the men who were present at the Thursday night party. While three of them had surrendered on Friday night, the fourth accused Sahil Zaroo surrendered in Srinagar today.

No one had been arrested in connection with the case. According to Mr Agarwal, the young men were questioned to establish the facts and build the correct sequence of events.

The CFSL report to establish the nature of 'white powder' found from the scene of crime was awaited, he added.

Police would decide the future course of action only after all the reports, including Bibek's post mortem reports, were in, the ADCP said.

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