Delhi Police get two-day custody of ex-minister Bharti

A Delhi court on Tuesday sent former law minister Somnath Bharti, arrested in a domestic violence case registered by his wife, to two-day police custody.

Metropolitan Magistrate Manika allowed the Delhi Police to quiz the Aam Aadmi Party legislator from Malviya Nagar here till Thursday.

Seeking police custody of Bharti, the Delhi Police told the court that it was required to recover the knife with which he allegedly slit the wrist of his wife Lipika Mitra and also to recover jewellery belonging to her.

The police also said his presence was required during the examination of his pet dog before a veterinary expert to verify whether the animal followed his commands or not.

"The dog in question is admitted to be a pet of the accused and therefore its examination would be best in the presence of the accused," the court said.

Complainant Lipika Mitra had claimed Bharti's dog attacked her at his behest and that she received injuries on various parts of her body.

Bharti, who surrendered to police on Monday evening, was named in an FIR filed at Dwarka North police station in west Delhi following a June 10 complaint by his wife, who said he had been abusing her since their marriage in 2010.

She claimed Bharti used to beat and torture her and once even tried to kill her.

Bharti has been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to attempt to murder, cruelty towards wife, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon, criminal breach of trust, attempt to cause miscarriage without woman's consent, cheating and criminal intimidation.