Bhopal Police file defamation, forgery case against AAP leader Somnath Bharti

Bhopal’s Crime Branch has registered a criminal case against senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi minister Somnath Bharti, following allegations that he circulated false claims and a forged document targeting Delhi BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay.

Police officials confirmed that the case relates to criminal defamation and forgery, linked to social media posts and legal filings that allegedly damaged the BJP leader’s reputation.

What triggered the police action

According to the Crime Branch, Bhopal, the case stems from a written complaint submitted on November 19, 2025, to Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra. The complaint was filed by Sumit Pandey, 40, a resident of Kolar, acting on behalf of Satish Upadhyay, who also previously served as BJP’s co-in charge for Madhya Pradesh.

Following preliminary scrutiny, the police commissioner directed the Crime Branch to conduct a detailed investigation, which later led to the registration of the case.

Allegations linked to social media posts

Investigators said that in April 2025, while staying in Bhopal, Somnath Bharti allegedly posted on social media claiming that a criminal case had been filed against Satish Upadhyay in a Bhopal court.

Police verification found that no such criminal case was pending in any Bhopal court, making the claim false, misleading, and unsupported by official records, according to officials involved in the probe.

Authorities allege that the post tarnished the public and political image of the BJP MLA.

Forged complaint and election petition under scanner

The complaint further alleges that Bharti filed a frivolous election petition before the High Court of Delhi, claiming that Satish Upadhyay failed to disclose a supposed criminal case in Bhopal in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.

Police stated that even before the petition was formally listed, Bharti allegedly shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) featuring an image of a fabricated criminal complaint, purportedly registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on charges of criminal defamation and forgery.

Investigators say the document shared online was forged and never officially registered.

Why this case matters now

Legal experts note that the case highlights growing concerns over political misinformation on social media, especially during election-related disputes.
Authorities see the registration of the FIR as a signal that online allegations without documentary proof can invite criminal liability.

From a governance perspective, officials say the case underscores the importance of verified disclosures in election affidavits and responsible digital conduct by public figures.

What officials are saying

Police officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and evidence related to social media posts, digital records, and court filings is being examined. They added that no final conclusions have been drawn yet, and due legal process will be followed.

No official response from Somnath Bharti was available at the time of publishing.