Latest news with #SomnathBharti
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Defamation case: AAP leader's wife penalised over non-appearance
A Delhi court on Wednesday imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on Lipika Mitra, wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, for skipping the hearing of her criminal defamation case filed against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In a final opportunity for the complainant to file a response, the court will next hear the matter on August 2. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal of the Rouse Avenue district court noted that the date and time were fixed according to the convenience of both parties in the last hearing. 'None is present on behalf of the complainant side, and even none appeared on behalf of the complainant side through videoconferencing (VC),' the judge said. The matter pertains to a complaint filed by Ms. Mitra, who had alleged that during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ms. Sitharaman had made and published 'defamatory, derogatory and libellous remarks' in print and electronic media against her, which–– tarnished the image of Mr. Bharti and impacted his chances of winning from New Delhi constituency.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi court issues notice to Union Min Nirmala Sitharaman over defamation complaint by AAP leader's wife
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has issued notice to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a defamation case filed by Lipika Mitra, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and 2024 Lok Sabha candidate, Somnath Bharti. The complaint alleges that during a press conference held amid the 2024 general election campaign, Sitharaman made 'defamatory, derogatory and libellous remarks' targeting Mitra and Bharti. According to Mitra, the Finance Minister deliberately referenced old personal disputes between the couple to damage Bharti's reputation and electoral prospects. In her statement, she clarified that any earlier disagreements had been resolved well before the elections. ' Almost like every couple, the complainant and her husband had developed certain issues and the same though unfortunately, had got blown out of proportion resulting in media trial etc but after the involvement of their well wishers, the matter was finally settled on May 7, 2019 and since then the complainant and her husband Somnath Bharti are living happily with children." In her complaint, she stated that the finance minister attempted to harm her and her husband solely for political gain to the BJP candidate and to cause a political loss to her husband during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The accused spoke about the matrimonial discord between her and her husband but deliberately withheld the information that they had reconciled and were living together happily. She further alleged that Sitharaman's comments were not only misleading but also aimed at damaging Bharti's reputation, social standing, and goodwill in society. Taking note of the complaint, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal passed an order on May 19, stating that a notice must be served to the Finance Minister under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). 'Matter is at the stage of cognisance and in compliance of the first proviso to section 223 BNSS, the proposed accused is to be given opportunity of being heard. Accordingly, on filing of PF within three days from today, let notice be issued to the proposed accused,' the court directed. The matter is now scheduled to be heard on June 12.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sexual harassment case: Court allows Somnath Bharti to submit new evidence
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted former Aam Aadmi Party legislator Somnath Bharti permission to introduce additional material in his defence in connection with a 2014 sexual harassment case. The supplementary evidence includes seven video clips, which Bharti claims either document media coverage of widespread prostitution in the national capital, particularly in the Khirki Extension locality of Malviya Nagar, or show his alleged attempts to curb the issue. Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court also permitted Bharti to place before the court documents related to a separate FIR registered at Malviya Nagar police station. The Judge said that the revision plea stands allowed and the petitioner is granted liberty to present further material in support of his defence, in accordance with his earlier applications, which are hereby considered and accepted. The development follows Somnath Bharti's appeal against a November 2024 ruling by a magistrate, which had denied his request to introduce new evidence on record. The case was initiated following a complaint by an African national, who alleged that in the early hours of January 15–16, 2014, a group of unidentified individuals forcibly entered her rented residence in Khirki Extension, subjected her to physical and verbal abuse and made racist remarks. She said that they touched her inappropriately, issued threats demanding that she leave the country and hurled derogatory slurs.
India Gazette
30-04-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Court allows Somnath Bharti to lead additional evidence
New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday allowed a revision petition moved by AAP leader Somnath Bharti. He had challenged the order dismissing his applications seeking permission to summon additional witnesses in his defence. He also sought to place on record seven video clips of an incident that occurred in Malviya Nagar in 2014. An FIR was registered on the order of the court based on a complaint filed by the victim, who is an African woman. She had alleged molestation by a group of people. Special Judge Vishal Gogne said, 'The revision petition is allowed with liberty to the revisionist to lead further evidence in defence in terms of his applications dated 30.08.2024 and 11.11.2024, which are deemed to be allowed.' 'The Trial court shall pass appropriate directions regarding mode of proof of the video clips in question and the tender of the record relating to FIR of 2015, Police Station Malviya Nagar in evidence,' Special Judge Vishal Gogne said in the judgement passed on April 30. He had challenged the order dated 19 November 2024, which dismissed his two applications praying for the summoning of additional witnesses during the leading of his evidence in defence. In one application, he sought to place on record seven video clips purportedly reflecting either the media reporting regarding the prevalence of prostitution in Delhi, especially the area of Khirki Extension or the purported efforts of the revisionist to curb such prevalence. The second application sought permission to place on record documents related to an FIR lodged in 2014 at the Malviya Nagar police station. Bharti had challenged the order of 27.11.2024, which dismissed his application for revision under section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act, praying for liberty to place on record the certified copy of the judicial proceedings in the above-mentioned separate FIR 2014 of Police Station Malviya Nagar. The Trial Court recorded that none of the videos in question were relevant for proving the defence of the revisionist. It was observed in the context of the 2014 FIR documents that the observations in the matter were not final and that the testimony of witnesses in the trial could not be relied upon. Furthermore, one of the witnesses in the said FIR, namely Aditya, had in fact been examined in the present trial related to the 2014 FIR. In the second order, the challenge essentially found the fresh prayer of the accused to be allowed to be placed onRecord the certified copy of the charge sheet in FIR of 2014 to be in the face of the order dated 19.11.2024, which had dismissed the same prayer. Advocate S.P. Kaushal, Counsel for the revisions, argued that the trial court had grossly misappreciated the grounds urged in the two applications, which were dismissed on 27 November 2024, finding the projected defence to be irrelevant. He also argued that since the video clips reflected media reporting of the activities related to prostitution in the precise area where the accused allegedly accosted Women of African origin, these videos would counter the prosecution's allegations. The incident occurred between midnight on 15 January and 16 January 2014. The present FIR was registered on a complaint made by Ms D (names of all victims are concealed in the present order as the alleged offences are also under sections 354 and 354A IPC) under section 156 (3) through order dated 18.01.2014 of the court of learned Metropolitan Magistrate of South District, Saket Court, New Delhi. The complainant, who is a person of African origin, alleged in her complaint that she, alongwith her sister and other natives, came to India on 03.01.2014 for her medical treatment. Since the treatment was taking a long time, she hired accommodation in Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi. It was alleged that on the night of the incident, a group of people reached her accommodation and allegedly molested her. The complaint alleged that she was very frightened and tried to resist them, but the assailants started humiliating her by touching her body parts. They threatened to kill her if she shouted. They even allegedly tried to search for all her articles. The assailants even forced the complainant to come out of her house and dragged her to the car. After the incident, the complainant, while watching television, purportedly identified some of the persons whohad trespassed, assaulted, misbehaved, threatened and molested her on the date of the incident. The complainant learned through the media that the assailants were affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party and had been led by the local MLA, identified as Somnath Bharti. A charge sheet was filed against Bhati and the person accused of commission of offence under section 323/354/354c/153a/147/149/452/ 186/353/356/143/152/506/509/427/341/342/34 of IPC. (ANI)
