Controversial AAP MLA Somnath Bharti on Tuesday faced arrest as Delhi police hunted for him, following a rejection of his anticipatory bail plea.
The Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea today in a case of attempt to murder and domestic violence lodged against him by his estranged wife Lipika Mitra.
Swiftly swinging into action after rejection of the former Delhi Law Minister’s anticipatory bail application, police despatched teams to his office and residence but failed to track him down.
Joint Commissioner of Police (South-West) Deependra Pathak said the Malviya Nagar MLA is “evading arrest”.
“Bharti is evading arrest. We sent two police teams to Bharti’s office at Dwarka and residence at Malviya Nagar, but he was not present at either of the two. When we tried to call him up, his phone was also found to be switched off,” he said.
The High Court had earlier in the day denied him pre-arrest bail, holding allegations levelled against him by Mitra were “very serious” and backed by “documentary proof”.
Justice Suresh Kait said in the order that the victim had been “tolerating” her MLA husband’s “brutal assault”.
“Bharti is elected as Member of Legislative Assembly of Delhi. He should have shown more generosity and responsibility towards his wife and children. Earlier, he had financial difficulties, therefore, every time, he compromised with his wife. But after being elected as MLA, he failed to win the sentiments and trust of his wife,” the judge observed.