Somnath Bharti still missing, aides questioned

Delhi Police on Wednesday questioned close aides of former law minister Somnath Bharti to ascertain his whereabouts, after the AAP legislator went missing following a case of domestic violence filed by his wife Lipika Mitra.

A day after questioning several relatives and friends, Delhi Police sleuths on Wednesday questioned the Aam Aadmi Party legislator's brother Loknath Bharti and private secretary.

"We are questioning his brother and secretary along with another person. Loknath was also questioned last night (Tuesday) but was released in the night. Bharti's sister was also questioned," Joint Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak told IANS.

Pathak said police have so far questioned eight people, including his brother.

Six police teams have been conducting raids in various places across the National Capital Region (NCR) like Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon.

"The AAP worker who sheltered Bharti last time when he was evading arrest has also been called for questioning," the officer said.

The office and residence of Bharti were raided on Tuesday evening after his anticipatory bail was dismissed but he could not be found.

Bharti was named in an FIR filed at Dwarka north police station in west Delhi.

Police said they filed the FIR following a June 10 complaint by Bharti's wife who said he had abused her since their marriage in 2010.

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