Somnath Bharti fails to appear before DCW; next hearing on July 6

New Delhi, Jul 3: A day after Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief called him "an anti-social element", AAP leader Somnath Bharti once again failed to appear before the panel, citing that the Commission has no jurisdiction over his wife's domestic violence complaint.

"Yesterday you (DCW chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh) again did a press conference and in no unambiguous words you defamed me, Dr Kumar Vishwas and our party AAP by using choicest of words and further said that you won't do any counselling of such anti-social people, in which view I have decided not to appear before the commission," Bharti said in a letter given out to media by a representative who had come on his behalf to submit it to the Commission.

The leader further asserted that the Commission has no jurisdiction over the case as his wife Lipika has already lodged a complaint with Crime Against Women (CAW) cell of the police on June 11.

"Since my matter has also been with police since June 11, DCW has no jurisdiction over the case," the letter said. The Commission, however, said that they would approach the police for bringing Bharti before the panel.

"We have now posted the matter for July 6 and have written to the DCP (South West) to ensure Bharti's appearance before the Commission on that day," DCW chief said.

Lipika who appeared before the Commission said that she agreed with DCW chief's remarks that Bharti was an "anti-social element" after he didn't turn up at the venue.

"I totally agree with Madam (DCW chief) that he (Bharti) is an anti-social element and a social bond cannot be nurtured with such people who have no respect for women or the Commission," she said.

Lipika reiterated that she wants to go ahead with the police complaint. In spite of counselling sessions arranged for the couple, she said that there was no chance for a patch up as Bharti will "never change".

Lipika said that Bharti had sent her a message today informing about his absence and asked her not to be present at the Commission as well.

"Despite his party telling him to cooperate with the official procedure, he has not turned up today. Why should I reconcile? I have also given it in writing to police that they should proceed with the charges against him," Lipika said.

Bharti, through the letter addressed to the DCW, criticised its handling of the case. "...On June 11 a complaint was lodged with CAW cell at sector-9, Dwarka in the view of which DCW should have stopped all and any proceedings including press conferences held by you in this case are in violation of the rules...," said the letter.

He also accused the DCW chief of politicising issues rather than resolving them.

"On June 15, 2015 you (Singh) did a press conference at your residence knowing fully well that my wife (Lipika) was in an agitated mind and whatever she will say would damage her reputation and that of the family as well, but at the same time, you did not allow my mother to enter into your house and meet my wife.

"That was a golden opportunity for you to help them meet and clear misunderstandings but you failed. Such misuse/abuse of DCW by you will not be forgotten and forgiven," the letter added. Bharti had failed to appear before the DCW panel on June 26 as well.

PTI