Will meet Lt Governor on demand for Somnath Bharti's arrest, sacking: Congress

NEW DELHI: Turning up the heat on the Aam Aadmi Party government over the Khirki Extension midnight raid case, Congress today demanded the immediate arrest and removal of Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti for his alleged involvement in the assault on African women.

Following meetings with representatives of several women's organisations, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee ( DPCC) Chief Arvinder Singh and senior leader Mukesh Sharma today said that Bharti should have resigned on his own after a Ugandan woman identified him as the one who had led the alleged assaulters.

A statement by Delhi Congress said it would send a high- level delegation to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung seeking the arrest and removal of Bharti from Delhi government.

"DPCC has decided to file a criminal case against Delhi Women and Child Welfare Development Minister Rakhi Birla," the statement, meanwhile, added.

Singh and Sharma alleged that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had disturbed normal life in Delhi for 32 hours to save his accused ministers.

The duo also said that those behind the clashes near Rail Bhavan should be identified and brought to book.

"Congress strongly condemns Kejriwal's bid to disturb the Republic Day Parade in an effort to save his accused ministers. No one should get the authority to break rules in Delhi.

"It is very dangerous for democracy that AAP created virtual anarchy near Rail Bhavan," they said.