Delhi Police oppose BSP MP Dhananjay Singh’s bail plea

The Delhi Police on Monday opposed the bail application of jailed BSP MP Dhananjay Singh in connection with the murder of his maid, claiming he was aware of the cruelty being meted out to his servants and had also beaten one of them.

The Delhi Police on Monday opposed the bail application of jailed BSP MP Dhananjay Singh in connection with the murder of his maid, claiming he was aware of the cruelty being meted out to his servants and had also beaten one of them.

The police told metropolitan magistrate Gomati Manocha that forensic reports of digital video recorders (DVRs) of 20 CCTV cameras installed at the MP’s residence, where the incident took place, suggested some of their contents had been “formatted.”

According to forensic reports, “contents of the DVRs have been formatted,” according to additional public prosecutor Mukul Kumar, adding that Dhananjay had handed over the footage for investigation after around 15 hours.

Kumar added that as per the call details of the MP, he was in constant touch with Jagriti and from October 31 to November 4, over 50 telephone calls were exchanged between the two accused.

Kumar said Dhananjay should have first informed the police on getting information about the incident. “He did not do so and came to Delhi from Jaunpur.”

The police said “some disturbing features” had emerged from the DVRs. Footage showed one of the maids, who later died, being beaten up “mercilessly”.

The court questioned the police allegations as to why the domestic helps were not allowed outside Singh’s residence and whether the presence of iron grills in the house was meant to facilitate this. The defence counsel replied it was simply a security measure for an incumbent MP.