Somnath Bharti gets bail in domestic violence case

A court here on Wednesday granted bail to Delhi's former law minister Somnath Bharti, who is accused in a domestic violence case filed against him by his wife Lipika Mitra.

Additional Sessions Judge Anil Kumar released Bharti on bail, asking him to furnish a personal bond of Rs.1 lakh and a surety of the like amount.

He was also barred from leaving Delhi without permission.

The court observed that Bharti's custody is no more required for investigation purpose and no purpose is going to be served by keeping him in custody.

"...the apprehension of likelihood of Bharti's fleeing from jurisdiction of the court or tampering with the prosecution evidence can be taken care of by imposing necessary conditions and the breach whereof may expose the applicant to the consequent risk of cancellation of bail," the court said while observing that Bharti is legislator and there is no apprehension that he will flee abroad.

Bharti, who surrendered to police last Monday and was arrested, was named in an FIR filed on September 10 following a June 10 complaint by Lipika, who said he had been abusing her since their marriage in 2010.

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

Bharti, who was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) -- related 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 -- was on the run soon after police registered an FIR against him.

The court also observed that serious allegations made by the complainant in complaint are not in consonance with her recorded conversation with Bharti as it reflected different versions.

The court imposed certain condition on Bharti including that he will mark his presence once in a week in the office of the deputy commissioner of police, south-west till the time a charge sheet is filed.

It also added that he will join the investigation whenever required and he shall not tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses in the case.