Delhi: Congress meets LG, wants police to take action against Bharti

New Delhi: Congress, which gives outside support to the AAP government, on Thursday asked Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to direct the police to take action against controversial Law Minister Somnath Bharti for allegedly leading a group of assaulters in a mid-night raid last week.

Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti. Facebook Image

A delegation of Delhi Congress leaders headed by DPCC Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely met Jung, seeking an impartial probe into the case and action against Bharti based on "available evidence".

"Delhi Police is not probing the case thoroughly. We have demanded that the Lt Governor direct Delhi Police to proceed as per law in this case. The Law Minister is not above the law. Whatever legal action is to be taken, should be taken. The LG has assured us of a fair probe," Lovely told reporters after the meeting.

Asked if Congress demanded sacking of Bharti, the DPCC president said that the party "only" sought Lt Governor's direction to Delhi Police to take action in the case as per law.

Bharti was involved in a row with the police last week when it refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution racket.

One of the African women, who recorded her statement before a magistrate, said she identified Bharti as having led the group that barged into her house and attacked them.

Lovely said the Congress delegation also took up the issue of violation of Section 144 of CrPC by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by staging a two-day protest outside the Rail Bhavan in Raisina Hills area.

Asked why Congress was not withdrawing support from AAP-led government if the party thinks that Bharti was at fault, Lovely said that Congress gave outside support to AAP on 18 issues related to public welfare.

"If AAP government doesn't work on these issues, then we would definitely consider withdrawing support," Lovely said.

Delhi Congress leader Mukesh Sharma, who was also part of the delegation, said the law minister should be arrested for what he had allegedly done during the late night raid in Khirki Extension area.

PTI