Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti has been summoned by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) after at least five African women accused him of misbehavior and assault in statements recorded before a magistrate.
On Wednesday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) alleged that Bharti’s supporters had threatened Delhi Police officers.
The women were “detained” during Bharti’s controversial midnight raid in south Delhi’s Khirki Extension last week. The women said they were manhandled by the minister and his associates. “We had asked Bharti to appear before the commission on Tuesday, but he did not show up. If he does not appear, we will write to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi,” said DCW chairperson Barkha Singh.
Over 40 academics and rights activists have asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to sack Bharti over the alleged “racist and sexual violence” against the African women. The demand was raised in an “Open Letter by Citizens”.
In their statement to the magistrate, the women claimed that they were forced to undergo tests at AIIMS, including a “humiliating” cavity search. They saw videos recorded by the media and identified Bharti as the leader of the mob. The statement would be considered as a confession made during investigation and used by the prosecution during trial.
NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma has demanded Bharti’s resignation. “It has been confirmed that Bharti was there. We will not spare him because whatever he did was wrong. He took the law into his own hands,” Sharma said.
A case was filed against unidentified persons with the Malviya Nagar police station on Sunday on instructions of the Patiala House Court.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks