AAP: Why Somnath Bharti case so important for Centre?

NEW DELHI: Despite its criticism for Somnath Bharti, who was pressured to surrender before police in a domestic violence case, AAP seems to have thrown its weight behind the Malviya Nagar MLA once again. The party on Friday expressed surprise over three top law officers of the country appearing in the Supreme Court to oppose Bharti's bail application.

The party had earlier alleged political vendetta against Bharti on the basis of the sections that have been slapped against him by Delhi Police. On Friday, it accused BJP of interfering in the case. "It is clearly evident from the unprecedented combined presence of the central government's top law officers--attorney-general Mukul Rohtagi, solicitor-general Ranjit Kumar and additional solicitor-general Tushar Mehta in the apex court on Thursday to oppose the MLA's bail application. The combined appearance of the top law officers...in a case of marital discord makes it clear that attempts are being made from the highest political quarters to interfere in the investigations," said Ashutosh, convener, AAP Delhi.

AAP has also accused Delhi Police of taking orders from the Centre and harassing AAP MLAs and other members. In fact, the party's frequent run-ins with police in the past few months have been a central point of CM Arvind Kejriwal's speeches and letters to the PM.

On Friday , AAP reiterated this point, saying that presence of the three law officers made it clear that the Centre had been dictating terms to Delhi Police in this specific case, "like many other cases involving AAP workers and its intention of harassing the party has now been proven beyond doubt".

"When was the last time that three top law officers of the central government had appeared together in a case of marital discord involving an MLA? Why did the Centre feel that this case is so important for it to have required the appearance of a constitutional functionary like the AG in the court? This gives rise to several questions, for instance, is the central government a party to this case and who authorized these law officers to appear for Delhi Police," said Ashutosh.

He asked whether a notification was issued by the Union law minister authorizing "their appearance in the case of marital discord". "If so, when was the last time that the Centre deputed three top law officers to appear together for Delhi Police and is this case of marital discord more important for BJP than the black money case and the Italian Marine cases?" Ashutosh added.