Bharti says some persons in Ugandan mission, Delhi Police linked to rackets

Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti on Wednesday demanded an independent probe into alleged role of "some persons" of Ugandan high commission and Delhi police in sex and drug rackets.

His remarks came as ruling Aam Aadmi Party leaders staged a one-day dharna demanding strict action against those heading drug and prostitution rackets in the city.

"According to the Ugandan girls, it seems that some persons in the Ugandan high commission in India and in Uganda are involved in such business. Besides, as per them, Delhi police are playing an important role in running of such rackets.

"To probe their role, an independent probe into this matter should be made," Bharti told reporters in New Delhi.

The minister, who had stirred a major controversy last month after he led a midnight raid against African women in a South Delhi locality alleging that they were running a drug and prostitution racket, was referring to the Ugandan girls who had on Saturday met him and complained that they were being pushed into sex racket.

Thereafter, the girls also registered a case with police.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday alleged that with the help of Delhi Police, drug and sex rackets are running across the national capital. Bharti also participated in the dharna by the party on the issue.

"With three Ugandan women approaching police with the complaint that they were forcibly being pushed into prostitution racket, it is now clear that such rackets are successfully running in Delhi with the help of police," Sanjay Singh, senior AAP leader, said while addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar.

Singh also defended Bharti on the midnight raid episode saying the minister had only asked the police to take action against the culprits.

"I want to ask the police commissioner and the women's commission what action has been taken to rescue women who are forcibly pushed into sex trade," he said.

The AAP leader also slammed BJP leader Arun Jaitely for favouring police on midnight raid issue, saying "why has he not written blog on Uugandan women being pushed into prostitution".

Image: Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti