“Delhi CM’s Aide Arrested Over Alleged Assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal”
On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, was arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the Chief Minister’s official residence. Kumar is set to be produced at the Tis Hazari Court shortly. The arrest follows accusations from Maliwal that Kumar assaulted her during an incident on Monday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), however, has refuted these allegations, suggesting that Maliwal is being used as a ‘pawn’ in what they describe as a BJP-led conspiracy against Kejriwal. They further accused her of fabricating the allegations.
Earlier, Kumar communicated with the Civil Lines Station House Officer (SHO) through a letter, stating that he had not been formally notified about the First Information Report (FIR) filed against him. He expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation whenever required by the authorities.
Kumar faces charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). In a complaint lodged on Friday, Kumar claimed that when Maliwal attempted to move from the drawing room towards the inner parts of the CM’s residence, he suspected her motives and tried to prevent her from proceeding further. This, according to Kumar, led to Maliwal pushing him in anger and threatening to falsely accuse him.
Kumar suggested that Maliwal’s actions could be politically motivated, especially given the proximity to election time, and urged that her communications with BJP leaders should also be scrutinized as part of the investigation.
Author:- Apoorva Arora