AAP MLA Somnath Bharti arrested for damaging AIIMS property, assaulting security guard

Somnath Bharti's arrest came a day after another AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan was arrested after a sexual harassment complaint by his brother-in-law's wife.

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Somnath Bharti was arrested on Thursday, days after he was booked for damaging All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) property and misbehaving with its security guards. 

Bharti was arrested from his residence and was taken to the Hauz Khas Police Station. He will be produced before a court later in the day. 

The legislator from Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi and a former minister had denied the allegations.

The Delhi Police had registered an FIR following the complaint of AIIMS Chief Security Officer RS Rawat.

Rawat, in his written complaint at south Delhi's Hauz Khas police station, had said that Bharti, around 9.45 am on September 9 "provoked the mob to damage the fence of government property (AIIMS)".

"Bharti gave permission to unauthorised persons with JCB machines to get access inside AIIMS from Gautam Nagar Nallah road side and misbehaved with security personnel," said a police officer, citing Rawat's complaint.

In the complaint, it was also alleged that six security personnel were injured while trying to intervene and stop Bharti and his supporters from damaging AIIMS property.

Bharti and his supporters were booked under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapons), 186 (obstructing public servant), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Bharti's arrest came a day after another AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan was arrested after a sexual harassment complaint by his brother-in-law's wife.

Bharti was earlier booked in a domestic violence case filed against him by his wife Lipika Mitra. He was later granted bail in the case.

The AAP MLA had, however, termed the allegations "wrong".