A trail court on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against former Delhi Law Minister and Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti in the domestic violence and attempt to murder case filed against him by his wife.
The Metropolitan Magistrate passed the order after Delhi police informed the court that Bharti is not co-operating in the investigation.
Police had filed an application in the magisterial court seeking issuance of an NBW against Bharti hours after a sessions court denied anticipatory bail to him.
Earlier on Monday, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sanjay Garg dismissed Bharti’s anticipatory bail plea, observing that it was the second complaint lodged against the MLA by his wife Lipika Mitra, who had alleged that he did not mend his conduct despite assurance before the Crime Against Women Cell.
The ASJ, while rejecting his anticipatory bail, said “it is pertinent to observe that this is the second complaint lodged by the complainant (Lipika). The previous complaint dated October 17, 2011 was not pursued by her on the assurance given by the applicant (Bharti) before the CAW cell.
It is alleged that the applicant did not mend his conduct and continued to subject the complainant to cruelty. Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances, the applicant is not entitled to grant of anticipatory bail. The application is accordingly dismissed.
— Additional Sessions Judge, Sanjay Garg
But the ASJ, while rejecting anticipatory bail to Bharti, accepted submissions of Special Public Prosecutor Shailendra Babbar that allegations against the lawmaker were serious and there was a possibility of his tampering with evidence.
(With inputs from PTI)
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