New Delhi: Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer R K Sharma, prime suspect in
journalist Shivani Bhatnagar murder case, has reportedly admitted to have known
the 'Indian Express' correspondent since the days he worked at the Prime Minister's
Office (PMO) as also Sri Bhagwan and Satya Prakash, other suspects in the case,
during his interrogation over the past two days, police sources said.
Sharma, who surrendered before an Ambala court on September 27 and was remanded to
10 days' police custody by a city court, reportedly told his interrogators that he
knew Shivani from the days he was officer on special duty at the PMO during the
tenure of then Prime Minister I K Gujral, the sources said.
The suspended Haryana Inspector General of Prisons has also allegedly confessed to
have known "very well" Gurgaon property dealers Sri Bhagwan and Satya Prakash,
accused in the sensational murder case, they said.
Bhagwan's father Omkar Sharma, a Haryana police official, had served under Sharma
while he was posted at Gurgaon.
Sharma is being interrogated at the office of the Crime Branch in Adarsh Nagar by a
special team including assistant commissioners of police Hemant Chopra and M K
Sharma and investigating officer Inder Singh. Senior officers would be interrogating
him at a later stage.
Police sources said Sharma was not "co-operating as desired" and was merely
responding by either smiling or saying "yes or no".
However, when asked whether he was not co-operating additional commissioner of
police Qamar Ahmed said, "His interrogation is going on very well."
The joint commissioner said Sharma had complained of chest pain during interrogation
on September 29 and was taken to a hospital for medical examination.
"He is fine. His interrogation is on and he has not reported any complaint today,"
Ahmed said.
He said Sharma would be medically examined every 48 hours as directed by the
court.
On allegations by Sharma's wife Madhu that the family was not being allowed to meet
him, Ahmed said, "We will implement all court orders."
Senior Police officials also denied that Sharma was being provided with "special
treatment" in the lock-up.
"He is being treated on par with others. The food given to other inmates is given to
him as well," they said.
The officials said Sharma has not been taken outside the capital for "evidence" so
far but he may be taken out in the coming days.
PTI
