Delhi's ex-minister Bharti surrenders before police

 Former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti surrendered before the Delhi Police on Wednesday to join the investigation in a case of domestic violence registered against him by his wife, Lipika Mitra.

Bharti, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Malviya Nagarin south Delhi, had approached the Delhi High Court for an anticipatory bail on Tuesday, and surrendered hours after he was given protection against arrest till September 17.

Following a late night discussion on the issue with party members, Bharti is believed to have been asked to join police investigation.

Bharti's wife Lipika Mitra on Wednesday said that Bharti misbehaved with her and used to hit her.

"My complaint is based on facts and evidence. He (Somnath Bharti) had misbehaved and beaten me up... I don't understand how the AAP, the central government or a third party is responsible for this," Mitra told IANS.

"The FIR was filed three months after I complained to the Delhi Police. Bharti being a lawyer should respect the law and cooperate with the police in the investigation. If he thinks that the allegations are false then he should come forward and make his point," Mitra added.

Bharti, on the other hand, rubbished the domestic violence case filed against him by his wife Lipika Mitra, saying he has audio and documentary evidence, that would reveal the actual truth.

"The allegation of attempt to murder has been put on me by the lady, who asks me, 'sweetheart when you will come home, I will take care of you' in an SMS. This SMS was sent to me by her on February 25, 2015. Can you imagine a wife calling her husband in such a way who is trying to murder her?" asked Bharti.

"I have audio and documentary evidence, which will bring out the truth and prove that all the allegations against me are false," he added.

If taken into custody, Bharti will be the fourth AAP MLA to be arrested. In the last four months, AAP MLAs Jitendra Singh Tomar, Manoj Kumar and Surinder Singh have been arrested by Delhi Police in different cases. - IANS