AAP legislator Somnath Bharti was granted conditional bail Wednesday by a city court in a domestic violence and attempt to murder case lodged against him by his wife, Lipika Mitra. “Serious allegations made by the complainant (Lipika) in complaint are in consonance with her recorded conversation with applicant (Bharti). Recorded conversations on the point of dog bite and wrist slit reflect different versions. No purpose is going to be served by keeping the applicant further in custody,” the Delhi sessions court stated. [related-post] Referring to Delhi Police case diary containing details of the examination of the MLA’s dog, Don, the court said the canine, accused of attacking Lipika, does not “respond” on his command. Additional sessions judge Anil Kumar said the court did not agree with the police apprehension that Bharti may flee abroad. The court also stated based on the police file, it “finds no medical evidence” in support of the incident of alleged wrist slit and added medical records only mention about “old cut marks but no external injury”. The judge said after the alleged incident of dog biting, it was “still kept in her house by the complainant” and she was “concerned of responsibility of dog” while Bharti was not there. The court observed the dog being taken care of by Lipika was “despite the fact, as alleged by her, that this dog assaulted her just one-two days before, on command of applicant.” The court has enlarged Bharti on bail subject to his furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, with one surety of the same amount. The court imposed several conditions on Bharti. The AAP MLA has been prohibited from leaving Delhi without prior permission from the trial court and he has to report once a week in the office of the deputy commissioner of police (South-West) till the charge sheet was filed. It also directed Bharti to join the investigation as and when called and not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses in the case.
