Somnath Bharti becoming an embarrassment for AAP, he should surrender, tweets Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal finally broke his silence on Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti and said he is becoming an 'embarrassment' for the party and his family. The former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti is accused in a case of attempt to murder and domestic violence lodged against him by his estranged wife, Lipika Mitra.

Asking Bharti to surrender, Kejriwal tweeted on Wednesday, "Somnath should surrender. Why is he running away? Why is he so scared of going to jail? Now he is becoming an embarrassment for party and his family. He should co-operate with police."

On Tuesday, Delhi Police picked up Bharti's brother Loknath and private secretary for questioning regarding his whereabouts. The AAP MLA faces arrest following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by Delhi High Court.

The police are also trying to identify others that might have sheltered the former Delhi Minister, who is not suspected to have left Delhi by now. "Somnath Bharti is evading arrest and he is being tracked by police. Harbouring him is a criminal offence," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Dependra Pathak.

Bharti's sister also denied having any information regarding his whereabouts. "The police was just asking where Somnath Bharti is. The police force came to my house and took me from there. They have asked me to come at Dwarka police station on Wednesday. I have no information about it why they have called me. I don't know anything."

Backing Kejriwal, AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said, "It's a family matter. There is no point running away from law. Law should take its own course."