Somnath Bharti breaks down during interrogation

New Delhi, Sept 30: Former Delhi Law minister Somnath Bharti broke down during questioning by investigators, who on Wednesday took him to his Dwarka residence where he came face to face with his wife in connection with the dowry harassment and attempt to murder case.

The police also added Section 212 of IPC (harbouring offender) in the FIR registered against Bharti, and said that so far they have identified five persons who allegedly sheltered the legislator while he was on the run.

"We have added Section 212 of IPC in the existing FIR and shall ask the court for an extension of Bharti's police custody at least by a day.

"We need to take him to all those places where he had taken shelter during the run and make him confront all the persons who had harboured him," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Dependra Pathak.

Meanwhile, an official privy to the investigation said that Bharti broke down during his interrogation last night when he was asked specific details about how he used to assault his wife and why he did so.

The police also asked him to clarify the allegation of unleashing his pet dog on his wife, Lipika Mitra. They also asked him about a particular derogatory word which, Mitra had claimed, compelled her to report her ordeal to the police.

Bharti was also confronted with the driver of a Faridabad-based businessman, whose car he had borrowed and later fled from Delhi, said the official.

The driver has recognised Bharti but the former law minister has so far claimed that he had never seen the driver.

PTI