New Delhi: AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, who is facing a case of domestic violence lodged by his wife, faced women group's ire when he visited Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence today.
Protesting women surrounded and blocked Bharti's car and also showed him black flags.
BJP workers also staged protest outside his residence over the same issue.
Former Delhi Law Minister was yesterday served notice by Delhi Commission for Women after his wife filed a complaint with it alleging domestic violence.
Meanwhile, DCW chief Barkha Singh said Bharti has been asked to reply to the notices by June 26. She today urged Kejriwal to come forth and take a stance in the matter to solve it.
AAP MLA Somnath Bharti's wife files domestic violence complaint against him
The DCW chief said Lipika in her complaint has levelled "charges of dowry, cheating, forgery, physical and mental harassment.
"As per her complaint, she works in a multinational company and married Bharti in 2010. Bharti had also demanded dowry. The woman's family had to bear all the marriage expenses and he had also asked for a car.
"She said Bharti had lied to her. Before marriage, Bharti had said that he owned an international law firm but later she realised that he did not. She has also complained of physical and mental torture. After making the complaint, she is scared," the DCW chief said.
In her complaint, Bharti's wife Lipika Bharti accused him of domestic violence and mental torture.
”Me and my children are subject to harassment and torture—mental, physical and verbal—by my husband Somnath Bharti. There is a persistent threat from my husband and his supporters,” her complaint said.
A lawyer by profession, Bharti who was Law Minister during AAP's first stint of 49-day government, denied the allegations calling them "totally baseless".
"... My wife says I should quit politics...I am deeply pained. I love my wife and my little children," Bharti said.
