AAP slams Centre for prioritising Bharti’s case

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday criticised the central government for giving priority to the domestic violence case against its leader Somnath Bharti, saying it looks like the government does not want him to be released on bail.

“The attorney general, solicitor general and additional solicitor general were present in Bharti case. What was the reason behind their presence?” questioned AAP leader Ashutosh.

He sought to know if Bharti’s case was of such importance that all the three top law officers of the central government were needed to be present during the hearing on the bail plea of Bharti, Delhi’s former law minister. “When was the last time when all the three together represented the central government before this?” he asked, adding “if the three appeared in the black money or Italian marine case?”

Bharti, who was arrested after surrendering to police on Monday, was named in an FIR filed by his wife Lipika Mitra. 

She has alleged that Bharti used to abuse her since marrying her in 2010. She said Bharti used to beat and torture her on occasions and even tried to kill her. Bharti has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to attempt to murder, cruelty towards wife, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon, criminal breach of trust, attempt to cause miscarriage without woman’s consent, cheating and criminal intimidation. 

Delhi Police on Friday took Bharti to Agra and Mathura, where he was staying while evading his arrest. His wife, Lipika, who has filed a case of domestic violence and attempt to murder, has been called to join the investigation on Monday.