Police deny allegations of 'illegal' detention

New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) The Delhi Police today denied allegations of illegal detention of Anil Singh and eight others, working as house staff at 7, Safdarjung Road residence of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan.

In its reply to the National Human Rights Commission, the police refuted charges levelled in a complaint dated June 6, filed by relatives of the 'detainees', who did not name themselves.

The police said the staff/servants were present at the house that night and their questioning was vital to the investigation.

They were called to 'join' the investigations on various occasions under the due process of law, it added.

Only one of them, Ganesh, was arrested on charges of tampering with evidence. And he too was granted bail from the police station then and there itself, the reply stated.

The NHRC would take a decision in the matter on June 12.

Yesterday, the Commission took cognizance of the complaint and asked the city police to submit a factual report on the matter.

The complaint had alleged that Anil Singh and eight others were forcibly picked up from 7, Safdarjung Road on the morning of June 2 and taken to Tughlak Road Police Station.

Ever since, all these persons were illegally detained at the police station and during this period they were mercilessly beating by the police, it stated.

Those picked up were neither produced before any court nor released, and none of them were permitted to contact their relatives, it added.

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