Policeman held over Delhi murder

Mahajan: Denies affair with murdered journalist

A senior Indian police officer wanted in connection with the murder of a journalist three years ago has turned himself into the authorities.

Ravi Kant Sharma, a senior officer in Haryana state, has been on the run for more than two months since being named as the prime suspect in the case.

My relations with Shivani were merely that of between any politician and a journalist

Pramod Mahajan,
government minister

The journalist, Shivani Bhatnagar, worked for the Indian Express newspaper. She was found strangled in her home in Delhi in January 1999.

The case took on a political dimension in August this year when Mr Sharma's wife alleged that a government minister had been having an affair with Ms Bhatnagar.

Pramod Mahajan, minister of parliamentary affairs and an influential figure in the ruling BJP, described the allegations as "absurd".

Mr Sharma surrendered to a court in the northern town of Ambala on Friday, and has been remanded in custody for a fortnight for questioning.

Minister 'shocked'

He acknowledged that he had known the victim, but only in a professional capacity.

"My relations with Shivani were merely that of between any politician and a journalist," he said.

"I am shocked by these allegations and totally refute these absurd charges. Needless to say, I am ready to face any inquiry by anybody."

Mrs Sharma said police had recorded conversations between the minister and the victim, and that he had spoken to Ms Bhatnagar on the day of her murder.

"I am saying that Pramod Mahajan is involved. Does any of you have the courage to go and ask Mahajan whether he had a relationship with Shivani?" she asked journalists.