Supreme Court rejects AAP MLA Somnath Bharti bail plea

The fugitive AAP lawmaker Somnath Bharti will surrender by Monday evening as the Supreme Court said it would hear his plea for anticipatory bail only after he surrenders and joins investigation into his wife’s allegations of domestic violence.

“Surrender first and then come to court”, the court added.

The bench rejected the plea of his counsel and senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam that Bharti, who is absconding from law, be given time till tomorrow to surrender.

The Supreme Court said that Bharti’s plea will be heard only if he surrenders.

“His attempt to evade his arrest doesn’t give a good impression, and will weaken his case as well”.

The police has raided on multiple locations to find out Somnath Bharti’s hideout earlier this week in Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.

Bharti faces arrest in connection with an attempt to murder and domestic violence case filed by his wife Lipika. Ms Mitra has also alleged that Mr Bharti tried to kill her and ordered his dog to bite her when she was pregnant.

Joint Commissioner of Police (South-West), Dependra Pathak said that the leader has been booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 498(a)(cruelty towards partner in marriage) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code.