AAP''s Somnath Bharti charged with trying to murder wife

New Delhi, April 5

Aam Aadmi Party legislator and former law minister Somnath Bharti has been charged with trying to murder his wife as Delhi Police filed its chargesheet in a domestic violence case against him on Tuesday. 

The court will now hear the case on April 23.

Bharti has been accused of having tried to harm his wife Lipika Mitra when she was pregnant by ordering his pet dog to attack her.

"The accused unleashed his dog on the complainant… it is pertinent to mention that the complainant was in an advance stage of pregnancy and she being further diabetic, the act by the accused not only was an attempt (to endanger) the life of the complainant but also seriously endangered the life of the unborn child which the complainant was carrying," the charge sheet said.

"...There are sufficient evidence on record and as per the statements of the witnesses there are sufficient evidence on record to file a charge sheet under section 307 (attempt to murder), 315 (act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 417 (punishment for cheating), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC against accused Somnath Bharti," it said.

Police has also named Kapil Vajpayee, Baney Singh and one Natish as accused in the case. The charge sheet also mentions Bharti's mother Manorama Bharti, but has not been charged for the want of proof.

Bharti is currently released on bail. — PTI