Controversial AAP MLA Somnath Bharti continued to evade arrest for the second day today even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the legislator facing an attempt to murder and domestic violence case lodged by his estranged wife, is becoming an "embarrassment" to the party and asked him to surrender immediately.
Breaking his silence on the issue, the Chief Minister disapproved of Bharti going into hiding after Delhi High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea yesterday, and asked him to cooperate with the police, wondering why he was scared of going to jail.
"Somnath should surrender. Why is he running away? Why is he so scared of going to jail? Now he is becoming an embarrassment for the party and his family.
"He should cooperate with police," Kejriwal tweeted.
The AAP MLA, whose wife accused him of domestic violence and attempt to murder, was not traceable after the court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail, observing that the allegations against him were backed by "documentary proof".
After the court ruling, police had raided several places yesterday including Bharti's residence and office but could not nab him. Raids have been conducted across the National Capital Region today also.
Bharti's wife Lipika Mitra had filed a complaint of domestic violence with Delhi Commission for Women on June 10 alleging that her husband had been abusing her since their marriage in 2010. She had also given a complaint to the police in this regard.
Delhi Police then registered an FIR against Bharti under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 498A (cruelty towards wife), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 313 read with 511 (attempt to cause miscarriage without woman's consent), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Dependra Pathak said said several police teams are raiding places across National Capital Region including Faridabad and Gurgaon to arrest the Malviya Nagar MLA.
