SC refuses Somnath Bharti's bail plea after his wife Lipika says no to mediation

New Delhi: In a big setback to AAP lawmaker Somnath Bharti, the Supreme Court on Monday reused to grant him bail after his estranged wife Lipika Mitra said that she was not inclined to join mediation for an amicable resolution of their matrimonial dispute and complaint of domestic violence.

Lipika Mitra conveyed her decision not to sit with Somnath Bharti in mediation to resolve their dispute to the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu.

"Absolutely not" Lipika Mitra said when the CJI asked her if she is ready to go for mediation.

Taking note of her refusal to join mediation, the apex court then disposed off Bharti's earlier plea seeking anticipatory bail, asking him to approach the trial court for his regular bail.

The court also asked the trial court to decide his bail application expeditiously either the same day or the next day.

With IANS inputs