'Professional criminal' Somnath Bharti changing mobile phones frequently: Delhi Police

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Somnath Bharti, who continues to evade arrest in a domestic violence and attempt to murder case lodged by his wife, is changing his locations and mobile phones from time to time, says Delhi Police.

While speaking to media, Joint Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Dependra Pathak told reporters, “Bharti is evading arrest and behaving just like a professional criminal.”

Pathak said several police teams have been deployed in the operation and they have been sent to various potential hideouts of the former law minister, who has been booked for alleged attempt to murder and domestic violence based on a complaint filed by his wife, Lipika Mitra.

Importantly, the Supreme Court will on Monday hear Bharti's plea for suspension of his arrest in connection with the domestic violence case against him.

The AAP legislator from Delhi's Malviya Nagar constituency moved the apex court after the Delhi High Court declined his plea for anticipatory bail in the case.

Bharti was named in a first information report (FIR) registered in Dwarka in west Delhi by his wife who alleged domestic violence and attempt to murder, and attempt to cause miscarriage without her consent.

The high court in its judgment also took note of an email sent by Mitra to Bharti on March 20, 2013, stating that Bharti's dog had bitten her six times when she was seven months pregnant. The court said police have produced the relevant medical papers.

Bharti's wife has been "tolerating cruelty with brutal assault", which was evident from the e-mail sent by her to him, the court held.