A fresh testimony of the 23-year-old Delhi gangrape victim was on Tuesday taken by the metropolitan magistrate after controversy erupted over recording of her earlier statement.

A Delhi police official confirmed this. 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 Shinde, 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.

It was also alleged that the police officers wanted the SDM to use a questionnaire they prepared. Delhi Police came out with a strong denial and also demanded a high-level probe into the leakage of Dikshit's letter to Shinde.

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

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

Subhash Tomar, the Delhi Police constable who this morning succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence at India Gate on Sunday, was cremated with police honours.

The body of the 47-year-old constable was consigned to flames amid chanting of hymns at Nigambodh ghat crematorium.