Not going to reconcile with Somnath Bharti, says estranged wife

New Delhi, Sep 15: After AAP MLA and former Delhi Law Minister got protection from arrest for two days in a case of domestic violence and attempt to murder, estranged wife Lipika Mitra today asked him to "come out of hiding" even as she ruled out any reconciliation with her husband.

"What I feel is that if this time I reconcile, you will see my dead body coming out of his home. Whatever I'm doing is for the welfare of my children. I'm not going to reconcile," Mitra said.

On Bharti having got interim relief from Delhi High Court which has restrained Delhi Police from arresting him till Thursday, Mitra said, "I think it's good for Mr Bharti. He has got this respite, now he should come out of hiding; no reason for him to go into hiding for another two days."

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Bharti over a complaint of domestic violence and attempt to murder by Lipika.

The FIR was lodged after four attempts at mediation between the MLA and his wife failed to bear any result and Lipika insisted that the police should thence act against the AAP legislator.

A court had on July 7 dismissed an anticipatory bail plea moved by Bharti saying that the application was premature since no FIR had been lodged against him.

Lipika had filed a complaint of domestic violence with the Delhi Commission for Women on June 10 alleging that her husband had been abusing her ever since their marriage in 2010.

She had also given a complaint to police in this regard. Bharti was today protected from arrest in connection with the case filed by his wife with high court asking the city police not to take any coercive steps against him till Thursday.

While passing the interim order, Justice Suresh Kait also issued a notice to police directing it to file a status report in the case by September 17, the next date of hearing.

PTI