Even as Delhi Police Thursday called for questioning two people who witnessed the collapse of a constable during a protest against gang-rape here, a third witness said the policeman was kicked by protesters.
The constable, Subhash Tomar, died of injuries two days later at a hospital Dec 25. Doctors and police have offered conflicting versions on the exact cause of his death.
"I was protesting quietly near India Gate Sunday (Dec 23). Out of the crowd, I saw a stone thrown at (constable) Subhash Tomar and he fell. Then five-six men came and kicked Tomar several times," said Salim Alvi, a 31-year-old activist from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh.
"They (attackers) were wearing caps with logo of Aam Aadmi Party. Their shoes had spikes," Alvi told IANS.
The attack continued for about 20 seconds and then the men ran away, he said. "I even ran after the men and told them they should not have been violent with cops."
Yogendra Tomar and Pauline (the other two witnesses) might have reached the spot after him, Alvi said.
"I kept quiet for a day after his (constable) death. But when wrong things started coming out in the media, I thought I should tell the truth," he said.
Alvi approached the police Thursday and the crime branch recorded his statement.
But Yogendra Tomar had said Wednesday that Tomar was neither assaulted nor trampled upon.
"He fell on his own while chasing the crowd. In fact, many protesters came to help him."
Pauline backed Yogendra, saying she saw "no visible injuries" on Tomar.
The police are also collecting video footage from news channels to establish the sequence of events.
T.S. Sidhu, medical superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where Tomar died, also said Wednesday that the constable had "no major external injury marks except for some cuts on his right knee and bruises on his chest".
Police the same day quoted Tomar's post-mortem report, saying he suffered "multiple internal injuries produced with the impact of a blunt object on his neck and chest".