【New Delhi】Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday faced mounting demand for the removal of controversial law minister Somnath Bharti after an African woman identified him as allegedly heading a group of assaulters in a midnight raid.
The AAP government and the ruling party came under an avalanche of attack from rivals and women's activists who said the chief minister had staged a two-day dharna in the name of women's safety but was following "double standards" on the issue of the minister.
Bharti was involved in a row with the police last week when they refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution racket, following which he allegedly led his supporters in forcing the women to give urine samples.
The women were "detained" during Bharti's controversial midnight raid in south Delhi's Khirki Extension last week. The women said they were manhandled by the minister and his associates.
The minister has been summoned by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) after at least five African women accused him of misbehavior and assault in statements recorded before a magistrate. On Wednesday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) alleged that Bharti's supporters had threatened Delhi Police officers.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday and is believed to have discussed the controversy surrounding Law Minister Somnath Bharti.
【News source】
Pressure mounts on AAP govt to act against Bharti
Women's commission summons Bharti
Bharti controversy: Kejriwal meets Lt Governor
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