New Delhi: Former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti who was booked on charges of attempt to murder, domestic violence, leveled by his wife, did not turn up for questioning today as requested by the Delhi Police in a notice issued to him.
The police however has not confirmed if an arrest warrant will be issued against the state lawmaker.
According to a senior police official, the notice was sent to the AAP leader's Malviya Nagar residence last night and the legislator had agreed to come to the Dwarka North police station by 11 AM today.
Mr Bharti had told the police that he would first go to the court and then head towards the police station, the officer said.
However, when Mr Bharti did not turn up till 2 PM, a police official was sent to his residence. But he was not present there. His mobile phone was also found to be switched off, the official said
Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi confirmed that Mr Bharti did not turn up for the questioning and said he hopes Mr Bharti "fully cooperates with the police, because it is utmost necessary to take his version in this case".
"I don't think that he will go against the law. If he doesn't come, necessary action will be taken as per law," Mr Bassi added.
On Wednesday, Delhi Police registered an FIR against Somnath Bharti, three months after his wife Lipika Mitra filed a case of domestic violence against him, levelling serious charges including that of "unleashing" dogs on her when she was pregnant.
Ms Mitra also told the police that on March 27 and 28, Bharti had allegedly subjected her to severe violence and also tried to slit her wrist, said Joint Commissioner of Police (southwest) Devendra Pathak.
"The FIR was registered at Dwarka North police station under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 498a (cruelty towards partner in marriage), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC," said Pathak.
Following the registration of the FIR, a Delhi court recorded the statement of Ms Mitra before Metropolitan Magistrate Manu Goel Kharb in-chamber under Section 164 of Code of Criminal Procedure or CrPC.
