Probe suggests Ram Singh committed suicide: Shinde

Describing the death of the prime accused in the Delhi gang rape case in Tihar Jail as a 'major security lapse', Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday said the preliminary inquiry suggested he committed suicide.

Addressing a press conference, he said the security in Tihar jail will be reviewed in the wake of the alleged suicide of Ram Singh in Jail No 3, early on Monday morning.

"There is a major security lapse. Preliminary inquiry suggests he committed suicide. However, we will wait for the inquiry to be completed," he said.

Asked about allegations that Singh was murdered, he said that is exactly why a magesterial inquiry had been ordered into the incident.

He said he has not received any request officially from the Delhi government regarding transfer of the administrative control of the Delhi police to the city government.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been vociferously demanding that the control of the Delhi Police, other than the security wing, should be with the city government.

Queried on whether the home ministry will take steps to increase electronic surveillance in Tihar, he said the prison department does not come under the purview of his ministry.