Relief granted by Delhi HC not my personal victory: Somnath Bharti

Former Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti on Friday termed the relief granted to him by the Delhi High Court as the victory of every individual who wants to fight out the ills in the society.

Bharti was reacting on the court order granting him relief by setting aside the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) order which held him guilty of racial prejudice for his controversial midnight raid at Khirki Extension in the national capital early this year.

"This victory is not of Somnath Bharti. This victory is of every individual who wants to fight the ills of society. That is [why] the manner and mode in which my fight against drug trafficking and human trafficking, which was given a colour of racism, has been set aside. This is a great victory for every individual who wants to fight for good," Bharti told ANI here.

"The honourable court has said that NHRC should hear the matter afresh, setting aside their order and let Somnath Bharti lead evidence, bring witnesses and a full-fledged hearing should be allowed to him," he added.

Bharti also said that he will move the Supreme Court on getting compensated from various stakeholders, following the court not granting his demand.

"The amount of Rs 100 crore in damages was not granted by the court but we are moving to honourable Supreme Court to demand that compensation," he said.

Earlier this year, Bharti had faced condemnation from across the political spectrum for his controversial raid on the intervening night of January 15 and 16. The AAP leader was further accused by 12 African women of harassing them during his 'operation'.