Khirki extension raid case: Charges to be framed against AAP’s Somnath Bharti, July 16 next hearing

New Delhi, June 30  : A city court ruled on Saturday that charges will be framed against Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti in a case related to a controversial 2014 midnight raid in Khirki extension which had triggered allegations of racism.
Bharti, the 2013 Maliyva Nagar MLA, had also served as Minister of Law, Tourism, Administrative Reforms, Art & Culture in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.
In January 2014, some residents of Khirkee Extension had complained to Bharti about a drug and prostitution racket allegedly being run by African nationals in the locality. It was alleged that Bharti, along with AAP workers and television camera crews, visited the area and asked the police to raid the homes rented by the African nationals. Police refused due to lack of a warrant.
It was alleged that the group caught four women and forced them to give urine tests. According to the test results, no drug traces were found in their system.
Police registered a case after hearing the complaint of women who had recorded their statements before a Magistrate.The women had alleged that they were threatened and molested by the mob after Bharti barged into their house along with his supporters.
The AAP had defended Bharti and said that all the allegations against him were false. The party also stated that his actions were not racist.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal delivered the ruling after hearing the submission on behalf of the prosecution.
Ordering framing of charges against Somnath Bharti, the Magistrate set July 16 for further hearing.
UNI.