Protection from arrest to AAP MLA Somnath Bharti extended, High court reserves order

NEW DELHI: Delhi High court today protected controversial AAP MLA Somnath Bharti from arrest by directing the police not to take any coercive steps till pronouncement of judgement on his plea for anticipatory bail in a case of domestic violence lodged by his wife.

Before rising for the day, Justice Suresh Kait extended the protection from arrest to Bharti, granted on September 15, saying "there is no time left to pronounce the order. So, till then, no coercive steps be taken against Bharti."

The court, which reserved the order on anticipatory bail, declined the police's request to withdraw the protection given to him from arrest, asked what has the police done till today as the FIR was lodged on September 9.

"You (Police) failed to arrest him(Bharti) when he was not given protection from arrest by this court," the judge said.

The court also expressed concern saying it was conscious about the complainant and her children.

"Keeping in mind that the two children are suffering (due to the matrital discord) this matter needs some reconsideration," it said.