Constable Chandrakant Vaid, 42, who has been posted at Verma's house since July 1, said in his complaint that the officer assaulted him on Sunday (October 11) morning, immediately after he reported for duty.

Vaid's complaint said that when Verma asked for tea, he had prepared one cup he had not heard how many cups Verma wanted. On learning that only one cup of tea was ready, Verma had barged into the kitchen, angrily turned off the stove, asked Vaid to turn around, and slapped him hard across both cheeks. Verma had then told him to get lost. Vaid said he informed his company commander at headquarters, who asked him to lodge a complaint at Shahibaug police station. A non-cognisable offence was registered. When Vaid complained of pain in his ears, the sub-inspector sent him to the civil hospital for examination.

However, PSO Vinodben of the Shahibaug police station first brusquely refused to disclose anything. At last she relented, and informed inspector M.T. Vaghela, who confirmed that a non-cognizable offence had indeed been registered.

Asked about the medical examination of the complainant, Vaghela said that Vaid had gone to the civil hospital for medical examination. He said he did not have a copy of the medical report, since a non-cognizable offence had been registered.

Surprisingly, doctors at the hospital were not forthcoming about the case. The police surgeon in-charge, Dr S.C. Yadav, could not be traced. Staff said he rarely remained in his office. He was found sitting at the office of the hospital superintendent's receptionist.

At first Yadav denied having received any report. Later, he told this reporter to contact the chief medical officer (CMO) at the out-patient department (OPD). CMO Dr B S Dave, who had first examined Vaid, maintained that the patient had been referred to the ENT department after he complained of pain in the ear.

Dave categorically denied having the examination report of the patient. He said that patient took away the report from the ENT department and the hospital does not keep the final examination report. ``You will have to contact the patient to get the report,'' he parried. The hospital authorities are believed to be under pressure not to reveal anything.

However, sources said Vaid was first examined at the OPD and was referred to ENT department. As there was no audiologist to perform an audiogram, Vaid was referred to Shardaben Hospital and later to V.S. Hospital, where an injury in the ear was confirmed.

The examination report (EPR number 9582/28/98) of the patient signed by ENT specialist Dr Rajesh Vishwakarma clearly says ``there was perforation with irregular margins and blood clots around'' the left ear.