New twist in constable's death case

Salim Alvi, who belongs to Bulandshahr, recorded his statement before Delhi Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, claiming that Tomar was hit with a stone by someone and he fell.

His statement contradicts the version given by journalism student Yogendra and his friend Paoline that they saw the 47-year-old constable collapsing while he was following protesters at India Gate on December 23 evening. They claimed that Tomar was not attacked and there were no injuries.

India Gate was the venue of protests against the gangrape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16.

Yogendra also recorded his statement today.

A controversy has erupted over the cause of death of Tomar during the violent demonstrations on the gangrape issue with eyewitnesses and a government hospital claiming there were no injuries on his person while the post-mortem report contradicted these versions.

Police sources said they have call record details which shows that Alvi was at India Gate on December 16.

Before recording his statement, Alvi said, "when police was going back after lathicharge, Tomar, whose name I got to know later, was a little behind. Someone hit him with a stone and he fell down. After that six-seven people attacked him.

"Three-four people had no caps, four-five people were wearing Aam Aadmi Party caps. When he died I was compelled to come out and say if we were demanding justice for the girl then why not for a policeman or a journalist. So we should tell the truth," he added.

Rejecting the claims, AAP said guilty should be punished but there should be a fair investigation. They also sought to question Alvi's credibility.