AAP accuses Delhi Police of portraying Somnath Bharti as terrorist

Party leader Ashutosh questioned the alacrity with which Delhi Police has acted in a domestic violence case against Bharti

Questioning Delhi Police's actions, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused it of portraying party MLA Somnath Bharti 'as a terrorist' in a domestic violence probe against the former Delhi law minister.

"Party has never compromised on the victimisation of women. But it is a slightly different case. It's a matter between husband and wife, a matter of matrimonial discord. So, in case of a matrimonial discord, even courts provide opportunity for reconciliation. That's what we are saying," party leader Ashutosh said.

"We are surprised a little bit with the kind of alertness that has been shown by the Delhi Police. On the issue of Somnath Bharti, they are showing as if he is a terrorist. There are question marks on the way the police is behaving in this case," he added.

He further accused the Delhi Police of becoming extra alert in cases involving AAP leaders.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier said that Bharti, who has been booked in a domestic violence case, is becoming an embarrassment for AAP and his family, and therefore, should surrender.

"Somnath shud surrender.Why is he running away?Why is he so scared of gng to jail?," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted.

"Now he (Somnath Bharti) is becoming embarrassment for party n his family. He should cooperate with police (sic)," he added.

The AAP MLA is facing a non-bailable warrant against him in a domestic violence and attempt to murder case filed by his wife, Lipika Mitra.