CM raises with Shinde issue of alleged suicide by rape accused

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit met Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and took up the issue of alleged suicide of Ram Singh, the prime accused in the December 16 gangrape-cum-murder case, in mysterious circumstances in Tihar jail in the wee hours today.
Dikshit refused to divulge details of her meeting with Shinde but said law and order situation in the city as well as the alleged suicide of Singh figured in the talks.
"A magisterial inquiry has already been ordered. Till the report comes, it will be difficult to comment on the issue. Let the autopsy report come, things will be clear," Dikshit said.

"I do not have the details about the circumstances leading to the incident. The reasons behind the incident will only be known after submission of the inquiry report," she added.
Though Tihar authorities said Singh was found hanging, his family and lawyers claimed it was a murder.
Sources said Dikshit in the meeting with Shinde raised the issue of security inside the Tihar prison. Tihar officials said the magisterial inquiry will also probe any possible security lapses inside the high-security jail.

The Delhi Chief Minister said she did not come to meet Shinde because of alleged suicide of Singh. "It was a routine meeting. I keep coming here. The meeting was prescheduled," she said.

Jail officials said, Singh (35), who has a slight deformity in his right hand after an accident, hanged himself from a rod in the ceiling of his cell in Jail No 3 using his clothes.
Sources said Dikshit also took up the issue of policing in the capital and asked Shinde to take "specific steps" in ensuring better security for women. The Delhi Police functions under direct control of Home Ministry.
The Chief Minister is understood to have expressed concern over no let up in crime against women despite Centre's assuarnce in the wake of the December 16 gangrape incident that all measures will be taken to ensure safety of the fairer sex in the city.

Dikshit also wanted setting up of a help desk for women and deployment of more woman personnel in the police stations, the sources said.