In more embarrassment for the AAP, former Delhi Law Minister and party MLA Somnath Bharti was served notices by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday after his wife filed a complaint with it alleging domestic violence.
DCW chief Barkha Singh said Bharti has been asked to reply to the notices by June 26.
In her complaint, the MLA’s wife Lipika Bharti accused him of domestic violence and mental torture. “Me and my children are subject to harassment and torture — mental, physical and oral — by my husband Somnath Bharti...There is a persistent threat from my husband and his supporters,” her complaint said.
Bharti, an MLA from Malviya Nagar and a lawyer by profession, chose not to comment on the allegations.
Notices issued
“She approached us this afternoon and lodged a complaint alleging assault and domestic violence by her husband Somnath Bharti since 2010. We have issued notices to Bharti asking him to appear before us by June 26. She now wants an end to the torture,” the DCW chief said.
Singh said Lipika has been living in Dwarka separately for the past three years and Bharti would visit her. Lipika said she has been going through difficult time since 2010.
“It would be difficult for me to summarise all these. It’s going on for a long time. It has been going on since 2010. I want separation, I want to be out from this marriage. I want to live with dignity with my children. It has been a continuous process through which I was going through,” she said.
Asked to comment, an AAP spokesperson called it a personal issue.