A court in Delhi has ordered registration of a criminal case against unknown persons in connection with the midnight raid against African women by a group allegedly led by Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti which accused them of being involved in prostitution.

Metropolitan Magistrate Chetna Singh ordered registration of the complaint after the women, who were allegedly assaulted in South Delhi last week, moved an application seeking registration of criminal case against Bharti and his associates.

In a related development, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has sought reports from the Home Ministry, Delhi Government and city police in connection with alleged incidents of racial prejudice and unlawful acts against some African nationals in South Delhi.

According to the NHRC statement released today, the Commission has asked them to report in this regard within three days. Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging incidents of racial prejudice and unlawful acts against the

African nationals, the Commission observed that the contents of press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.