Controversial AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, arrested in the wee hours in connection a domestic violence and attempt to murder case, was today sent to police custody for two days by Delhi court.
41-year-old Bharti, who had surrendered before police last evening, was produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Manika who remanded the former Delhi Law Minister to police custody till October 1 after the investigating agency said some recoveries were to be made from him.
The police, which sought five days custody of Bharti, said he was required for custodial interrogation as he has been evading arrest. He was also needed for recovery of a knife, some jewellery and other articles related to the case.
The special public prosecutor, appearing for the police, said that Bharti's custody was also required in connection with the investigation relating to his pet dog 'Don', for which an expert has already been consulted. He also alleged that Bharti had unleashed his dog on his wife when she was pregnant and was bitten by it.
The police custody plea was opposed by advocate Vijay Aggarwal, who appeared for Bharti, saying the agency had enough time to go to different places and recover the articles as the FIR in the case was registered around three months ago after his wife lodged the complaint.
Aggarwal contended that the dog was also available whenever the agency needed it for investigation and claimed that Bharti does not know anything about the missing articles which police wants to recover.
"When he is already saying he knows nothing about the missing articles, can the police be allowed to get the custody to have the opportunity to use third degree," he said, adding that "this will give the agency an opportunity to plant some false evidence".
The AAP MLA had yesterday surrendered before police after the Supreme Court ordered him to give up by the evening in the domestic violence and attempt to murder case filed by his wife. He was arrested around 4 AM this morning.
Bharti had on September 23 moved the apex court seeking protection from arrest in the case and a direction to restrain Delhi Police from arresting him till his plea challenging the High Court order is decided.
