BJP protests against Somnath Bharti over wife's domestic violence charge

In yet another embarrassment for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti is in the line of fire for allegedly indulging in domestic violence and mental torture of his wife.

Some women health workers protesting outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on Thursday morning showed black flags to the AAP leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also staged protest outside Bharti's residence, demanding an apology from the Malviya Nagar MLA over the complaints of his wife.

Hitting out at Bharti, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said, "The issue is if women are not safe in the AAP member's house itself. Then what about others? AAP should realise this. We want him to resign."

"If AAP MLA Somnath Bharti cannot protect and respect his wife inside his house, how can he ensure the safety of other women in Delhi," said BJP members protesting outside his house.

Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, Bharti's wife Lipika Mitra had alleged that the domestic violence by the AAP leader had been going on since 2010, adding that she now wanted separation from the lawyer-turned-politician. "I want separation from Somnath Bharti and live with my children with dignity," she said.

Reacting to the issue, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Barkha Singh demanded that Arvind Kejriwal should come forward, take a stance on the issue and help resolve it.

Later, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said that Bharti's wife has expressed her apprehensions and security was provided to her, adding that "appropriate action" would be taken by the police in this regard.

Somnath Bharti's wife has submitted a written complaint before the DCW, following which the body has summoned the AAP leader for appearance before the commission on June 26.

This came even as Bharti dismissed all allegations, terming them as false.

The timing of the complaint by Bharti's wife has added to the embarrassment of the Aam Aadmi Party, which is already facing the heat over the fake degree case involving former Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar, who is currently in police custody.