Delhi High Court asks Somnath Bharti's reply on outcome of NHRC proceedings

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High court today asked AAP leader Somnath Bharti to apprise it about the final outcome of the proceedings before NHRC in connection with his controversial midnight raid early this year.

Justice V K Shali directed Bharti, the ex-Law Minister of Delhi, to state on affidavit whether he received the documents mentioned in the letter sent to him by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on November 27.

The November 27 letter was sent by NHRC to Bharti in response to his November 3 notice to the commission's Chairperson seeking recall of its September 29 order on the ground that he was not given the relevant documents.

The letter had also sought Bharti's presence on December 8 before the commission.

The court also asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader to indicate in his affidavit whether he appeared before NHRC on December 8 as well as the final outcome of the proceedings being conducted by the commission.

It passed the order as there was nothing in Bharti's plea regarding December 8 proceedings and the Centre, represented by advocate Jasmeet Singh, was also not aware of the status of the same.

During the proceedings, advocate Deepak Khosla, appearing for Bharti, told the court that on December 8 the commission had reserved its verdict and notified December 15 for passing orders.

The court, however, refused to accept the oral submission and said that Bharti's plea will be heard after the affidavit is filed.

Later in the day, Khosla mentioned before the court that he has filed the affidavit and the judge listed Bharti's plea for hearing tomorrow.

In his plea, the former Law Minister has challenged the NHRC's September 29 order holding him guilty of "racial prejudice and unlawful acts" against 12 African women during his controversial midnight raid.