Somnath Bharti booked in domestic violence case

Delhi Police on Thursday booked AAP legislator Somnath Bharti on charges of domestic violence months after his wife Lipika Mitra filed a complaint against him alleging domestic abuse.

The former law minister has been named in a First Information Report (FIR) filed under several sections of the Indian Penal code (IPC), including domestic violence, at Dwarka North police station in west Delhi.

Police said they filed the FIR following the June 10 complaint of Bharti's wife Lipika Mitra.

"It was alleged by Mitra that Bharti has been abusing her ever since their marriage in 2010. She had also claimed that Bharti beat and tortured her and even tried to kill her once," said a police official.

According to the official, Bharti has been accused of letting his dogs loose at her wife and their child.

Bharti could not be contacted on his phone, but sources close to him confirmed that he was "shocked at the development" as he was in touch with his wife on SMS till Thursday morning.

According to sources, Bharti blamed the police for conspiring against him and framing unreasonable charges.

A court had on July 7 dismissed an anticipatory bail petition by Bharti saying it was "premature" as no FIR had been filed against him.

Mitra has also complained to the National Commission for Women against her husband for allegedly abusing her.