AAP MLA Somnath Bharti Convicted For 2 Years In AIIMS Case

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The case is in relation to AAP MLA Somnath Bharti who has been convicted in a 2016 case by a Delhi Court.
• The former law minister of Delhi Government was charged in 2016 for assaulting the security staff of AIIMS i.e. All India Institute of Medical Studies and causing damage to hospital property.
• The AAP MLA has been convicted for 2 years of imprisonment with a fine of ₹1,00,000 in 2016 case, but has been given bail for filing an appeal.

BACKGROUND DETAILS

• A case was lodged on a complaint filed by R .S Rawat, the chief security officer at AIIMS.
• In its submission the prosecutor submitted that on September 9, 2016, Somnath Bharti with 300 others brought down the fence of a boundary wall with a JCB operator of AIIMS causing damage to hospital property.
• Somnath Bharti on the other side stated that he has been falsely implicated in this case by police officials and other witnesses.
• The case was heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey.

FURTHER DETAILS

• The magistrate was of the view that the case has been duly proved by the prosecution without any reasonable doubt against the main accused.
• The court held guilty and convicted Somnath Bharti for the following charges :

1. Section 323 of IPC ( causing voluntarily causing hurt)
2. Section 353 of IPC ( assault / to deter a public servant from discharge of his duties by using criminal force )
3. Section 147 ( Punishment for rioting )
4. Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act ( mischief causing damage to public property)

• While the court acquitted other co- accused and associates of Somnath Bharti namely Jagat Saini, Dileep Jha, Rakesh Pandey, Sandeep Sonu due to lack of evidences.

AAM AADMI PARTY'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

• The Aam Aadmi Party released an official statement in this regard stating that :

1. According to their knowledge, Somnath Bharti is filing for an appeal.
2. They were also confident that Justice will happen at the appellate stage.
3. They have respect for the judiciary and full faith in it; however they feel that in this case Justice has not been done.
4. They stated that Somnath Bharti is loved by all and is very popular in his constituency. Praising further they say that he works for 24 hours for his people.
5. And that people in his constituency are sad about the news of his conviction.

• While no comment was made by Somnath Bharti on this statement released by Aam Aadmi Party.

CURRENT SCENARIO

• Though the court convicted Somnath Bharti for 2 years of imprisonment and fine of Rupees 1 Lakh however the court granted bail only to allow him to make an appeal.

Do you think the reason behind politicians not accepting the court's verdict is the fear of loss of power and position? Let us know in the comments section below!