Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti, wanted in a domestic violence case filed by wife Lipika Mitra, surrende... Read More

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti , wanted in a domestic violence case filed by wife Lipika Mitra , surrendered before the Delhi Police late on Monday. The Supreme Court had, earlier in the day, refused him anticipatory bail and had asked him to surrender by Monday evening.

"There was a warrant, and today the Supreme Court directed me to surrender. So here I am," said Bharti, former law minister of Delhi.

Bharti also rubbished reports that he was running away from law. "I was availing my legal remedies not running away from law," he said.

The apex court had told Bharti that as a responsible citizen he should have surrendered to police rather than be absconding after two courts - trial court and Delhi high court - rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

READ ALSO: AAP's Somnath Bharti behaving like 'professional criminal', Delhi Police say

Bharti had said it was a matrimonial dispute blown put of proportion by his wife and wanted the Supreme Court mediation centre to take up the case for settlement.

Bharti is seeking protection from arrest in a domestic violence and attempt to murder case in which the Delhi high court has rejected his petition for anticipatory bail.

The apex court added that the matter would be heard again on October 1 after he surrendered.

"First surrender, then we will see whether matter should be referred to mediation centre," SC said and posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Somnath Bharti becoming an embarrassment for AAP, Kejriwal says

READ THIS IN HINDI: संविधान की किताब हाथ में लेकर सोमनाथ ने किया सरेंडर