The AAP MLA faces arrest following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by Delhi High Court.
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The high court had on September 17 reserved its verdict while protecting Bharti from arrest till pronouncement of its order.
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti is hiding near Agra in UP, say Delhi Police.
If Kejriwal had reigned in two years ago with similar advice, Somnath Bharti would not have become an embarrassment to the party as he is now. The party’s top brass had then expressed its displeasure over his disappearance and asked him to cooperate with the police.
Bharti is facing arrest in connection with domestic violence and torture charges levelled against him by his wife Lipika Mitra. During a string of interviews, Mr Bharti denied the allegations against him and said: “I love my wife”.
On Wednesday, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal all but dumped Mr Bharti, his once powerful law minister and close aide, in strong tweets. Police traced his movement in Uttam Nagar, but he left in a auto for Khajuri Khas. Delhi Police said that its stand had been vindicated and hoped that Somnath Bharti would join the investigations.
But the Delhi Police continued the search for Mr. Bharti and called in over half-a-dozen of his associates for questioning, including his brother.
After the verdict by HC, Bharti went absconding as he could not be found when police raided his house and office. He said, “Somnath should surrender”.
“The High Court has rejected his bail… he should come out in open and present his case before the investigating agency. I thank him”, she said. “When Bharti did not respond to his appeal, the Kejriwal Government issued sanction order to prosecute him”, said the sources.
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He was accused of misbehaviour and racial abuse.
