Somnath Bharti: Allegations false, conspiracy to defame me

Law minister Somnath Bharti, who courted controversy over his action against an alleged sex-and-drugs ring, on Saturday said that the allegations against him are false and it is a “conspiracy to defame” him.

The minister said that Delhi Commission for Women’s (DCW) move against him was “politically motivated”.

“Barkha Singh is a member of Congress and acting against me for a political motive,” Bharti said.

Bharti on Friday failed to appear before the women’s panel probing his action after which the commission said they would report the matter to Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.

“All allegations against me are false. It’s a conspiracy to defame me,” the law minister told reporters.

He added: “Its absolutely wrong and pathetic. Everything is wrong.”

Bharti did not heed the summons of the women’s commission and instead sent his lawyers as representatives.

The law minister alongwith Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers Jan 16 raided some homes of African nationals in south Delhi for allegedly running “sex and drug racket”.

The minister said he took the action following representations made by the Resident Welfare Association.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal defended Bharti and also held a sit-in in the heart of Delhi for over 30 hours demanding action against those policemen who did not heed his minister. Kejriwal ended his protest after Jung appealed to him and also sent the two policemen on leave.