SC denies bail to Somnath Bharti, wife doesn’t want mediation

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi law minister former Somnath Bharti’s bail plea in an alleged domestic violence and attempt to murder case lodged by his wife and asked him to approach a trial court.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi law minister former Somnath Bharti’s bail plea in an alleged domestic violence and attempt to murder case lodged by his wife and asked him to approach a trial court.

AAP Leader Somnath Bharti being taken to a Delhi court after surrendering. (Arun Sharma/HT Photo)

Bharti’s estranged wife Lipika Mitra refused to go for a mediation to settle the domestic violence case saying “absolutely not” when the Chief Justice asked her if she is ready for one.

The apex court also directed the trial court judge to consider any bail application moved by Bharti within a day and dispose it expeditiously.

Bharti was on Sunday was sent to Tihar Jail for a day by a Delhi court after it remanded him to judicial custody till Monday. The 41-year-old AAP MLA was produced before the court after the expiry of his three-day police remand.

In its application, Delhi Police said that Bharti be sent to 14-day judicial custody as the custodial interrogation in the case is not needed.

After hearing submissions from both the sides, the court refused to direct the police to produce him before the Supreme Court.

During the hearing, Bharti alleged that he was mentally harassed by the police in their custody. The AAP MLA was arrested in the wee hours on September 29 after the Supreme Court ordered him to surrender. Since then, he has been in police custody.