Court orders 2-yr imprisonment for Delhi MLA Somnath Bharti in AIIMS security assault case

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court sentenced two years imprisonment to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti along with a fine of Rs one lakh for assaulting AIIMS security staff back in 2016.

The court has acquitted the four other persons in the same matter.

The judgement stated, “Court is of the considered view that prosecution has duly proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt against accused Somnath Bharti regarding charges of an offence punishable U/s 323/353 read with Section 149 IPC and charge of an offence punishable U/s 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and charge of an offence punishable U/s 147 IPC read with Section 149 IPC and he is held guilty and convicted for the same.”

The court also said, “The security staff of the AIIMS were performing the delegated duties of a public servant and are duly covered under the definition of Public Servant. Hence, the defence of the accused that the security staff of the AIIMS are not the public servant is discarded and not accepted.”

In the same matter, the court acquitted the other accused persons namely Jagat Saini, Daleep Jha, Sandeep alias Sonu and Rakesh Pandey from all charges made against them by the prosecution.

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According to the prosecution, on September 9, 2016, AIIMS Chief Security officer RS Rawat lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police accusing MLA Somnath Bharti and his 300 supporters of misbehaving with security guards of AIIMS.

In his written complaint, Rawat said, “Bharti, around 9:45 am on September 9, provoked the mob to damage the fence of government property (AIIMS)”.

Rawat also told the police that Bharti gave permission to unauthorised persons with JCB machines to get into AIIMS from Gautam Nagar Nallah roadside.

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