AAP defends Somnath Bharti, says duty of govt. to address issues of public

Defending Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti for his midnight raid on foreign nationals, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday said that it is the duty of the government to address the issues of the people and Bharti conducted a raid as he received complaints from people of that area.

"When Somanth Bharti interacted with the people, they said that they had complaint to the police on a number of occasions, but, still the police did not take any action. The party believes that it is the responsibility of the Aam Aadmi Party to cater to the issues of the people." AAP leader Sanjay Singh told media here today.

"The BJP and the Congress are trying to tarnish the image of the AAP. They are trying to politicize these issues," said Singh.

"Both the parties are not at all serious about the security of women in Delhi. The security of women has been a major issue for the AAP and we have been raising it from time to time. It is the duty of the government to provide security to women," he added.

He reiterated that if their demand of suspension of four cops is not met than the party will sit on a dharna outside the Home Minister's office from Monday onwards.

Earlier today, a Delhi court ordered the police to file an FIR following a Ugandan national's complaint alleging that a group of people forcibly entered her house in south Delhi and molested her.

The court passed an order under section 156 (3) CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) to file an FIR. The court has asked the Delhi Police to submit the report on the matter by February 14.

The complaint comes after Somnath Bharti conducted a midnight raid on Wednesday at a building in Khirki Extension, and reportedly had a brush with the local police.

Bharti and his supporters have been accused of illegally detaining Ugandan women and forcing them to give medical tests.

Bharati alleged that a sex trade and drug peddling racket was flourishing in the locality with the help of foreign nationals.

Based on the complaint filed by the Ugandan national, who has alleged that accused threatened her to leave the place, the court has asked the police to report back to it on February 14.

Bharti had demanded that the police take action against the offenders.

"This is my area, Khirki village. People complained about Nigerian people indulging in prostitution and drugs supply, and the local people were facing trouble because of this," said Bharti.

Earlier on Saturday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, after a meeting with African envoys said that the behavior shown towards Uganda nationals by a Delhi Minister was condemnable, and that they have ensured the safety of foreign nationals in India to the African envoys.