Somnath Bharti alleges bias, seeks further probe & FIR against cops

NEW DELHI: Former Delhi Law Minister and AAP leader Somnath Bharti today claimed bias in the probe against him in a case of alleged molestation of some African women during his purported midnight raid here earlier this year and sought in a court here further probe.

Bharti, who appeared in the court without even being summoned as accused in the case, and his counsel alleged bias in the investigation and also sought the court's direction for registration of FIR against three Delhi Police officials-- DCP of South Delhi, current and the then SHO of Malviya Nagar Police Station-- for "framing" him in the case.

As soon as the court asked the police to advance its submissions on the point of consideration on the charge sheet filed in the case, Bharti's counsel moved two applications seeking FIR against the police officials and a direction for further probe.

The court, however, asked Bharti as to what was his locus standi at this stage as he was not yet summoned as an accused.

"What is your locus standi in the case at this moment? You are not yet summoned by the court,"Metropolitan Magistrate Niti Phutela said.

To this, Bharti said "I am one of the proposed accused in the case and the court should hear me before taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed in the case."