The Delhi Police have recorded statements of 40 people, including 12 African women, against "unknown" people for a Jan 16 midnight raid conducted by state Law Minister Somnath Bharti, police said Friday.The police told IANS that the statements of the African women were recorded in a magisterial court here.The investigation in the case is on, it added, saying examination of more witnesses are continuing.Meanwhile, Metropolitan Magistrate Chetna Singh, hearing the case, asked police to file a fresh status report on the investigation in the case and fixed March 26 as the next date of hearing.
The police Jan 19 lodged a first information report in the case against unknown accused on court's direction and booked them under various charges dealing with wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation and act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.The court order came on a plea moved by an Ugandan woman seeking registration of an FIR against unknown people for creating ruckus during a Jan 16 raid between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. in Khirki Extension.Advocate Rakesh Sherawat, appearing for the Ugandan woman, told the court his client learnt through the media the people taking part in the raid were from the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Bharti.However, Bharti was not named in the complaint.The minister had gone to a house in Khirki Extension after receiving complaints about an alleged prostitution and drug racket in the area.