Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti’s attempt to lead a surprise raid on an alleged drug and prostitution ring last night ended in an unseemly roadside argument between the minister and the police.
Mr Bharti said he received people’s complaints about alleged sex trade at a building in Khirki Extension, which is in his constituency in south Delhi, and decided to go for a check, along with the police.
The minister says, however, that the police refused to search the building. After an argument with Mr Bharti, the police team reportedly left.
“The police left us here. They didn’t even listen to me, the law minister. Will they listen to people? The police investigation is a failure,” Mr Bharti said.
“This is my area. I attend meetings to listen to people. They complained about Nigerian people who are involved in prostitution and drugs supply. When we reached there, girls tried to run away, we managed to stop two of them.”
Residents supported the minister, alleging that the police never listened to them. “We had complained to the police but nothing happened,” said Badal Khan, who stays in the neighbourhood.
The AAP Law Minister has been in the news lately for more than one controversy. Two days ago, he fended off allegations that as a defence lawyer in a case last year, he had tampered with evidence.
Mr Bharti was also criticised for trying to “summon” judges for a meeting just after taking charge last month, and berating his Law Secretary when told that this was not the convention.
