Friday, June 2 2006 16:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Preliminary police investigation into the suspected food poisoning of Rahul Mahajan, son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, and the death of his secretary Vivek Moitra is centered around three 'unidentified' persons who had visited his residence late last night.

Police said the trio had visited Mahajan's residence twice in the night and allegedly had champagne with Mahajan and Moitra.

"We are trying to ascertain the identities of the three and investigations are on in that direction," Additional DCP, New Delhi, Manish Aggarwal told reporters here.

He said police has recovered 'some white powder' in a polythene from the scene and has sent it for chemical examiantion.

"It is a very small sample and details about it would be known only after chemical examination," he added.

"The scene of the incident at Mahajan's 7, Safdarjung residence was disturbed as the household staff had kept the champagne bottles and glasses in a cupboard and cleaned up the vomit of Mahajan and Moitra from the floor of the house," Aggarwal said.

He said the household staff, identified as Ganesh and

"Anil, had found Rahul and Vivek lying unconscious in the wee hours and rushed them to Apollo hospital. Hospital authorities then informed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tuglak Road police station about the incident," he said.

On questioning, the servants told police that Rahul was expecting some friends.

Asked whether police suspected any foulplay, he said,"It was too early to comment. We are inquiring into the cause ofdeath. All angles are being probed. It could be a case of natural or accidental toxication, but it is too early to say."

Forensic experts are examining the white powder found from the scene of incident and have visited the hospital to collect the blood and vomit samples of Mahajan and Moitra.