Bharti flies kites, skips DCW meet

NEW DELHI: Law minister Somnath Bharti has again courted controversy. Bharti skipped a meeting with Delhi Commission for Women on Friday but was seen attending a kite festival. Bharti summoned after complaints by African women against his alleged misconduct at the midnight raid. He sent two lawyers who claimed Bharti was held up by "urgent" work.

DCW chairwoman Barkha Singh claimed the rule book doesn't allow advocates to serve as representatives, leading to high drama.

Bharti's lawyers, Rishikesh Kumar and Neha Rastogi, pleaded with Barkha. "As a woman I am guaranteeing that Somnath Bharti respects DCW," said Neha. Rishikesh claimed he did not know of any rule that restricted lawyers from making representations to the commission and that Barkha was trying to "defame" them. The lawyers were not even carrying an authorization letter from Somnath Bharti or a letter requesting his exemption from the meeting.

"He couldn't come because of urgent work. He will surely attend on a later date," said Rishikesh. Barkha retorted, "DCW is under the Delhi government. It's an insult to the commission and to women. If the government doesn't need a women's commission, they should scrap it." To which the lawyer said: "You are biased. Show me which rule are you talking about?" They left after a while.

The commission heard two of the five Ugandan women who had complained for over an hour. Barkha later told the media: "Flying kites seems to be more important for the minister than attending this meeting. We have taken a decision on the basis of the women's submissions'

The commission has decided to meet the LG and make its submission on not just the raid but on how Bharti's lawyers behaviour. "We will demand Bharti's resignation. It was a good opportunity for him to explain himself and meet the complainants," said Barkha.

Barkha Singh happens to be a former MLA from the previous Sheila Dikshit government. She continues to be DCW chief citing legal provisions which do not require her to resign even though she lost her seat from RK Puram.

Bharti took a jab at the media at kite festival. "Media chahe kuch bhi kahe...A, B ya C, isse tanik faraq nahi padta. Aam aadmi sab janta hain."

AAP later issued a statement that Bharti was busy in official engagements and wanted to inform the DCW through his lawyers that he would appear at a later date. Police will submit its report in the case to the court on Saturday noon. AAP rebel Binni met the police commissioner demanding action against Bharti.