Jaitley should focus on public, should not play advocate: Somnath Bharti

Commenting on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley's remark on the drug raid conducted by Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti, Bharti on Saturday said that Jaitley should focus more on working for the welfare of the people and not try to act like an advocate.

"He should be bothered about the people, and not act like an advocate. Did he ever speak about the increasing drug deals taking place in the capital which is adversely impacting the youth?" said Bharti.

Commenting on cases being filed against him by various organizations he said that he had no information on it.

"I have no information about any of this, but wherever the case will be presented, I will fight it and defend myself," he said.

"All the media channels that are saying that women were manhandled were present there, and have recorded what exactly happened. I do not thing there was even one incident of manhandling," he added.

"The police department had received a lot of complaints from the residents of that area but they did not do a thing as they were also involved in them," said Bharti.

When the truth will come forward everything will be clear," he said.

Earlier today, Jaitley had said that Bharti should not have taken the law in his hands by conducting the raids and getting into a heated argument with the police.

Somnath Bharti carried out raids in South Delhi's Khirki Extension late night on Wednesday and is reported to have had a brush with the local police.

Bharti and his supporters alleged that a sex trade and drug peddling racket was flourishing in the locality with the help of foreign nationals, mostly Nigerians.

Bharti had a hot argument with an assistant commissioner of police, even as his supporters created a lot of commotion.

Bharti demanded that the police take action against the offenders.

Later, Bharti told media that Malviya Nagar police station officer Vijay Pal, who had come to the spot, went away without taking any action.

"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.

"I attend meetings to listen to people in which, people complained about Nigerian people who indulge in prostitution and drugs supply," he said.

"We came here with a police gypsy and some of the girls tried to run away. We managed to stop two of them red-handed. Another car came with three girls," he added.

"A local said the building is full of girls. We called police. First, they took much time to come here, and then, left us by refusing to raid the premises. They are not listening to me," the Law Minister said.

"The police's enquiry is very unsuccessful. They are not willing to search. All of the women are Nigerian," Bharti said.

Badal Khan, a local resident, said: "Residents were going to Somnathji. They had also complained to police, but nothing happened. They said that women were supplying drugs and working as prostitutes. Police officers don't want that they should be tested of drugs."

"I have to come daily. Foreigners are often standing here taking drugs. They are always looking for people to sell drugs," said another local.

"Whenever I pass from here, I see foreigner girls standing here.They are prostitutes," said another.