Delhi HC extends relief to AAP leader Bharti from arrest

In a relief to former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti, booked in a domestic violence case, the Delhi High Court on Thursday continued the protection granted to him against arrest and reserved its order on his anticipatory bail plea.

Justice Suresh Kait, after hearing the arguments of police and Bharti, reserved the order, saying till the pronouncement of order "no coercive steps be taken against Bharti".

Bharti, the Aam Aadmi Party legislator from Malviya Nagar constituency, has moved the high court and sought anticipatory bail.

The court observing that the complainant, Bharti's wife Lipika Mitra, has two children who are suffering due to the matrimonial discord, suggested that the matter needs reconciliation.

Mitra, however, declined the suggestion, saying she was not interested in any reconciliation with Bharti as he had abused her when they were together.

During the hearing, police said Bharti abused his wife and set his pet dog to attack her.

Mitra, who was present in the court, told the judge that she wants her ancestral jewellery back from Bharti.

Appearing for Bharti, senior advocates Dayan Krishnan and Vijay Aggarwal told the court that Bharti was ready to deposit the money with the court in lieu of dowry articles.

Dayan Krishnan opposed police's demand for custodial interrogation of the AAP leader.

Lipika, in her complaint, alleged that in March 2013, Bharti physically abused her, tried to strangulate her and set his dog upon her, due to which she suffered multiple injuries.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against Bharti under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for domestic violence and attempt to murder, at Dwarka North police station in west Delhi.

Police said they filed the FIR following the June 10 complaint by Bharti's wife, who said the AAP leader had been abusing her ever since they married in 2010.

She also claimed that Bharti beat and tortured her and once even tried to kill her.