New Delhi: Former Delhi Law Minister and AAP MLA Somnath Bharti said on Wednesday that he was pained to learn about his wife's accusations of domestic violence against him,
He also said that the charges against him were baseless and that he loved his wife and children.
Bharti posted on the micro-blogging website Twitter: "I am in Kerala for party work and shocked to learn from TV about wife's complaint. Deeply pained to know that my wife has gone public with family matter."
In another tweet he wrote: "Allegations of domestic violence if any are baseless and inconceivable. I love my wife and my little children. I urge media to respect my privacy."
I m in kerala 4 party work n shocked 2 learn 4m TV abt wife's complaint. Deeply pained 2 know that my wife hs gone public w family matter.
— Adv. Somnath Bharti (@attorneybharti) June 10, 2015
Allegations of domestic violence if any are baseless n inconceivable. I love my wife n my little children. I urge media 2 respect my privacy
— Adv. Somnath Bharti (@attorneybharti) June 10, 2015
Bharti was today served notices by Delhi Commission for Women after his wife filed a complaint with it alleging domestic violence.
DCW chief Barkha Singh said Bharti has been asked to reply to the notices by June 26.
In her complaint, the MLA's wife Lipika Bharti accused him of domestic violence and mental torture.
"Me and my children are subject to harassment and torture - mental, physical and oral - by my husband Somnath Bharti. There is a persistent threat from my husband and his supporters," her complaint said, as per PTI.
"She approached us this afternoon and lodged a complaint alleging assault and domestic violence by her husband Somnath Bharti since 2010. We have issued notices to Bharti asking him to appear before us by June 26. She now wants an end to the torture," the DCW chief said.
Singh said Lipika has been living in Dwarka separately for last three years and Bharti used to visit her.
On her part, Lipika said she has been going through difficult time since 2010.
"It would be difficult for me to summarise all these. It's going on for a long time. It has been going on since 2010. I want separation, I want to be out from this marriage. I want to live with dignity with my children. It has been a continuous process through which I was going through," said his wife.
Asked to comment, an AAP spokesperson called it a personal issue. Bharti was Law Minister during AAP's first stint of 49 days.
He had courted controversy for an alleged crackdown on a prostitution ring in his constituency during his ministership.
(With PTI inputs)
