The Metropolitan Magistrate took a fresh testimony of the 23-year-old Delhi gang rape victim yesterday after controversy erupted over recording of her earlier statement.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, however, denied the allegations of police interference in recording of the rape victim’s statement by the Magistrate.

Controversy erupted over the recording of the victim's statement after Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit complained to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde that senior police officials interfered in the process and sought an enquiry.

In a letter to Mr Shinde, Mrs Dikshit cited a communication to her by Deputy Commissioner (East) B.M. Mishra that Sub Divisional Magistrate Usha Chaturvedi claimed that three senior police officers had prevented the video recording of the victim's statement.

Meanwhile, the health condition of the 23-year-old rape victim is stable, but, still critical. She is conscious, alert and communicating.

Addressing the media at Safdarjung hospital last evening, doctors treating her said that her internal bleeding has reduced and liver functions are stable. They said, she, however, needs partial ventilatory support.

In a related incident, Mukesh, brother of co-accused Ram Singh who was allegedly driving the bus during the crime was yesterday sent to Tihar Jail till January 6th by Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Kumar. Another of the six accused, Akshay Thakur will undergo a test identification parade today in Tihar jail.