AAP leaders ask Somnath Bharti to surrender as SC denies relief

NEW DELHI: Soon after Somnath Bharti today failed to get relief from the Supreme Court, AAP today cornered its Malviya Nagar MLA asking him to surrender "immediately" to avoid "further embarassment" to the party and himself.

"...Party had requested him earlier and requesting him again (to surrender and cooperate). Party has great faith in judiciary and rule of law and believes that justice will be done," senior AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal went a step ahead and welcomed the apex court's decision, saying it will end his "hide and seek" with the legal process.

"He should immediately surrender in order to avoid further embarassment to himself and the party," senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters.

"Welcome move by SC. Somnath Bharti denied bail, reprimanded and told to surrender by evening. This bound to end his hide and seek with law," Maliwal tweeted.

The party's stand was clearly spelt out by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last week when he questioned Bharti for evading arrest and asked him to surrender.

BJP used the opportunity to take a swipe at AAP saying people were concerned about the fact that such "criminals had been elected" with the ruling party's ticket.

" Delhi Police is right in saying that Bharti is behaving like a professional criminal," Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said.

Bharti faces arrest in connection with an attempt to murder and domestic violence case filed by his wife Lipika.