No malafide motive behind inquiry about Rahul Gandhi's whereabouts: Bassi

Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Saturday ruled out any malafide intention with regard to the inquiry about Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's whereabouts and added that the men in uniform did not initiate this step on the Central Government's orders.

"Our police officers did not go there with any mala fide motive. This was a routine activity that was necessary for policing," said Bassi.

"Prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law and order is duty of the police. We keep on making efforts to fulfil this purpose. The Delhi Police conducts such activities to see to it that there is no threat to any significant personality," he added.

Bassi also said that it was important for the police to update information about the people who are more vulnerable to the Centre.

"We keep information about Amit Shah ji, Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi ji etc. as well. There is no motive of snooping nor was directed by the government," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Congress Party demanded an explanation from both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the alleged intrusion by Delhi Police into Rahul Gandhi's personal life.

According to reports, a team of the Delhi Police visited the Congress vice-president's office last week to make inquiry about his physical features.

The police have, however, so far not been unable to give any credible explanation for the inquiry.

The incident takes place at a time when the Congress vice-president is on a leave doing introspection for the party's dismal show in the Delhi Assembly polls. He is not even attending the crucial Budget Session of the Parliament that is underway.