AAP's midnight raid: Was not aware of procedures, says Somnath Bharti


New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI): Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti, who has recently found himself in controversies, today said his intentions were good but he was projected in "wrong way" and had he been "aware" of procedures, he could have avoided the wrangles.

Bharti, an Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Malviya Nagar, is facing cases and criticism from political opponents for a midnight raid against some African women in south Delhi, where he had alleged a drug and prostitution racket was taking place.

"I am not aware of procedures. If I would have known them, I would not have made these alleged mistakes," Bharti said while addressing lawyers on the eve of Republic Day at Saket district courts premises in New Delhi.

"I am doing things for you (common man). I went on raid at late night, risking my life," he said, referring to the midnight incident at Delhi's Khirki Extension, in the function organised by Saket Court Bar Association.

Criticising Delhi police, he said, "This is the job of police, but I personally went there. I am doing this because of concerns of people who have elected me as their representative.

"Many took me wrong. My intentions were good, but it is projected in a wrong way," the minister said.

"I am new to this system, so I may commit mistakes, but someone should come forward and guide me. This system has been formed by common people, so I would try my best to give them a corruption-free system," he said.

The minister, whose ouster from the Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet is being demanded by political opponents, criticised media and said his opponents were using news reports to "project" him in a "wrong manner".

"Reporters present here will go and give their reports, but the persons sitting above are closely associated with other political parties and it is they who project me in a wrong manner," he said.

Besides Bharti, SCBA President Rajpal Kasana, his deputy Arun Rathi and over 100 lawyers were also present.

The Law Minister said more Additional Public Prosecutors in all six district courts complexes should be appointed to fast-track trials.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Rion, Udupi

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Law Ministers whoever knows the procedures did what so far...? Nothing! This person broke the drug gangsters and these gangsters have fled from their place now. So far no one took objection on them, is amazing!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suleman, Udupi

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Accepting the mistake is appreciated.
    Somnath Bharti has responded as per the reports from his constituency.
    How many of our Congi,BJP ministers responded in Karnataka?..other than Mr. Kader Every time they make drama...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mapusa

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Law Minister does not know LAW and our DUMB guys still vote for this party...

    DisAgree [8] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeetendra j hegde, mumbai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Innocent, nonsense munna bhai LLB...is the law minister of Delhi....being a lawyer ,if he says he is not aware of the procedure then think about the plight non LLB people.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Next time be aware of the procedures and the dignity of the government and ministry.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • avani, mlore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Many in this forum condemning AAP for the minister's act, saying "ignorance of law is not an excuse". Agree, but one has to note that, a person who is ignorant, breaks law unintentionally (It sometimes happens by accident when doing something good). But in our country day and night laws are broken intentionally by those who are well aware of laws and they even coming out of it too by using loopholes in the law. Now you decide which is more dangerous. In a country like ours where law & justice system has so many loopholes does it really matter if it is broken unintentionally doing some good thing to public?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Thankfully, no life was lost. Would yours Saviour Kejriwal have taken responsibility if any one of the victims were lynched by the mobs instigated by the goon minister? You must be very much aware of something called mob mentality, when things can get out of control. How would that have reflected on our country world wide? and is your saviour willing to face the consequences of any retaliation against thousands of Indians living and working in African countries. It is very easy to sit back and comment because you will only know what reality is when you are the victim in such a situation.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • William, Mangalore/Doha

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Has anybody checked whether these women engaged in Drug & Prostitution. If so, are you ready to keep such person as your neighbor. If not, when complained to police station, if no action is taken and on complaint and if the local MLA or minister helps you to sort out the issue by putting himself in danger how you will react? Think & comment

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manoj Kumar, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    When power goes to the head, the person becomes blind whatsoever his philosophy is. If anybody wants to work for the benefit of common man let them eradicate the corruption completely from the system. It's possible for the politicians to do so, but they don't do that as politics and power bring them huge money from which they buy muscle power and votes.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    It seems his Law Degree is Fake too.
    Ignorance of Law doesn't exempt the act of CRIME of Lawless minister, hope at-least he knows this little, otherwise let him ask senior qualified lawyers about it.
    Now many are harping the locality people support him! O K, then if locality people support illegal acts by the majority is it alright in a democracy.
    An article by Times of India has proved beyond doubt the locals are perpetrators of racial & criminal acts against these people who are a minority in that locality to hound them out, so far they had failed, but have found ignorant new leaders to fire the gun on their behalf. Its nothing but vote politics against HUMAN RIGHTS.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    I fully agree with you Dev. Unfortunately, even the educated of readers have this sheep mentality. They see Kejriwal and his followers as the only Savior who will lead them to glory, whereas reality during the last two weeks glaringly points to something else. Kejriwal has displayed that he simply does not understand administration and therefore indulges in street dramas to hide his inefficiency. His goon minister Bharati is a perfect example of all that is evil. But our people have simply shut their eyes and ears and taken complete leave of their senses. It would have been nice if only for a moment these readers imagine themselves in the shoes of those poor helpless Africans to know the fear that they are living in and the agony that they are going through. This is a perfect proof that we Indians are the number one racists on this planet.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    We should give more time to the new first generation, young, energetic government to learn from simple mistakes they do.
    Their intentions are good, but for methods.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • vasudev bhat, Rayee/Rome

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    I am sorry to mention this to daijji readers that we have some of the worst biased commentators who spoil the beauty of articles. You may be a blind supporter, but give respect to the persons if not it show who you are and your mentality.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Fernandes, Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    AAP karein toh chamatkar.
    Baaki party karein to Balatkar!!!!
    If media support them, then the media is impartial and if the media questions them, then it is a paid media!!
    AAP is a party that can never do the mistake!!!! Indeed, part with difference!!
    Is it confidence or overconfidence???

    DisAgree [8] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    AAP IS NOTHING BUT " B " TEAM OF ITALIAN LED CONGRESS.

    ITALIAN LED CONGRESS ALSO NOT AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE CAUGHT RED HANDEDLY IN :

    1. 2G SCAM.

    2. CWG GHAPLA.

    3. ADARSHA GHOTALA.

    4. COAL GATE.

    5. OTHER " N" NUMBER OF SCAMS,GHOTALAS,GHAPLAS.

    AAP AND ITALIAN LED CONGRESS ARE DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY THRU CORRUPTION, ANARCHY, COMMUNALISM, CASTIESM AND WITH GOONDAGIRI.

    JAI HO SHRIMAAN NARENDRA MODIJI.

    DisAgree [33] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jayaprakash, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Mr Nagesh, We can think your status by seeing your comment in bold face. A feku follower, we should not expect much !

    DisAgree [14] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bhat V P, Mangalore/USA

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    A 'c' grade comment :)

    DisAgree [11] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    More than half the beneficiaries in all the scams mentioned by you are BJP members.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • steven, Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    DO YOU KNOW WHAT MODI STANDS FOR:
    M= Mission
    O= of
    D= Destroying
    I= India!!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Absolutely true !

    DisAgree [4] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fardeen, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    If you don't know the procedures, then what is the use of being a minister? I really don't know on what basis people chosen you as their representative? you all are same and here to fool us..

    DisAgree [10] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Abdul Rafiq, Uchila / Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    May be law minister Somnath Bharti holding law degree certificate is fake, he might have given bribe and got the certificate. Then how come a lawyer doesn't know about the laws?
    He could have told this very next day of the incident, why so late? Until today he and his boss Kejriwal justifying the act, now he is saying it was a mistake because of not aware of the procedures. He smells now people's protest and legal action, that's why he is changing the words to escape from the punishment. Kick him out of the ministry and put him behind the bar.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • subbalaxmi , Mangalore/Kuloor

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Anand, you better know that ignorance of law is no excuse. Even Sunjay Dutt did not know that it was wrong to possess weapons. An ignorant law minister is more dangerous than an ignorant common man. Will the law excuse if a common person says he was ignorant of certain things. And what is the difference between kejriwal and other politicians when he goes on defending his ignorant minister. How long will they ride piggyback on common man bogey?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEACE LOVER, INDIA

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Congress is not projecting Rahul Gandhi as it's Prime Ministerial candidate, then why Modi is wasting money.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramakrishna. K. , Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Congress is already projecting RG as their PM candidate. For Proof - in all the Cong advertisement such as 'Not I but we', only RG's big photo is given amid common people without the photo of Sonia or MMS.
    Chidambaram has also told in open press meet yesterday that if at all Cong gets majority, then Rahul is the only candidate eligible for PM post from their party.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manohar Dsouza, Mangalore/Bahrain

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Brave Somnath Bharti & his commandoes from AAP “ risked their lives” [ hahahahahaha] terrorizing & manhandling helpless African women in the middle of the night. This man is arrogant, openly lies, speaks nonsense and is a big liability for AAP.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi B Shenava, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Of course Somnath Bharati has risked his life. Those so called helpless foreign women were dangerous drug traffickers and maybe even possessing weapons. Otherwise corrupt Delhi Police also would have harmed Bharti just like Inspector Mallikarjun Bande in Gulbarga was killed by police only and the blame was put on Rowdy Munna.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi B Shenava, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    All the Residents of Khirki Extension of Delhi told in a single voice before the Women's commission yesterday that whatever Somanath Bharti did was the right thing, because they were fed up of Drug trafficking and prostitution of Nigerians & Ugandans openly in connivance with Delhi Police.
    So, Bharti stands vindicated, whatever court may say. People are the real Judges and they have supported Bharti & AAP govt. This is sufficient.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Ignorance of law is not an excuse.Hope,Somnath Bharati who is a lawyer by profession aware of it.Thanq.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jayaprakash, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    No doubt that AAP have good intentions. Hope people will give them some time do continue the good work.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    You have correctly said ayaprakash,
    we should give more time to AAP,
    to learn from their simple mistakes.
    They are first generations new energetic government.
    Their intentions are good.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaun, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    Funny that despite he being a lawyer by profession was not aware of the law. This is defiantly an excuse.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anand, karkala

    Sun, Jan 26 2014


    Power hungry and corrupted, never come forward to guide anyone even if they know that the mistake is unintentional. They wait for the opportunities to pull legs.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • naveen kotian, muscat

    Sun, Jan 26 2014

    AAP is new and not political background and with some good intentions . Why people instead supporting talking negatively against it. Let them do their duty. AA has 2 options, either do the duty honestly or follow the other politicians and make more money. Our media are showing biased news . AAP's functioning style may be wrong just because they are new . People should know they are new and with non political intention. They need our support we support other political parties because they are strong and powerful .

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: AAP's midnight raid: Was not aware of procedures, says Somnath Bharti



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.