Court allows Somnath Bharti to visit Puducherry for party meet

New Delhi: Controversial AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, an accused in domestic violence and attempt to murder case lodged by his wife, was on Wednesday granted permission by a Delhi court to travel to Puducherry to attend a party function on October 18.

Metropolitan Magistrate Abhishek Kumar allowed the plea of Bharti to travel to Puducherry from October 16 to October 21 with a condition that before leaving and after arriving in Delhi he will mark his presence before the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

"Considering the submission of the applicant...I am of the view that no prejudice will be caused to investigation if the accused/applicant is allowed to visit Puducherry for attending the official meeting of AAP as he has joined the investigation as and when called by the IO and also reported in the office of the DCP concerned as per the order of Additional Sessions Judge.

"Accordingly, the application of the applicant stands allowed subject to the conditions," the court said.

Investigating Officer of the case also did not oppose the plea of Bharti and said that as per the direction of the court he has reported to the DCP Southwest on October 12 and has also joined the investigation of the case.

Bharti was granted bail on October 7 by the court with a condition that he has to seek permission from trial court and area magistrate before leaving Delhi.

In his plea seeking permission to travel outside Delhi, Bharti said that he is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in-charge for Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshdeep and Andman and Nicobar Islands.

He said that party unit at Puducherry is organizing a mega public meeting on October 18 and his presence is required as it is a crucial meet for future development of the party.

"...being the AAP in-charge in Puducherry he has to be there to check the necessary arrangement for the meeting and to talk with workers and volunteers of AAP for the promotion of party," he said in his plea.