A Delhi court denied bail on Monday to Bibhav Kumar, an aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the Swati Maliwal assault case.
Additional Sessions Judge Sushil Anuj Tyagi of the Tis Hazari Courts issued the ruling.
Kumar was arrested by Delhi Police on May 18 and was initially remanded to police custody for five days. On May 24, he was transferred to judicial custody.
Swati Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleged that Kumar assaulted her at Kejriwal’s residence. According to the FIR, Kumar hit Maliwal in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area with his legs.
The AAP has countered these allegations. Videos have surfaced on social media showing Maliwal arguing with security personnel and leaving the Chief Minister’s residence.
Kumar’s counsel argued in court that Maliwal arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence uninvited and trespassed on the property. “Who called her? Was she invited? She barged in and trespassed at the CM’s residence,” the counsel stated.
The defense questioned why Maliwal did not file a police complaint immediately and why she was examined at AIIMS instead of a Delhi government hospital. “Everything was pre-planned to suit the story,” the counsel claimed.
Delhi Police told the court that Maliwal was hit on her chest and neck and was dragged, causing her to hit her head on a table. They noted that the video footage of the incident was missing, suggesting it could be due to a technical issue or deliberate removal. They argued that Kumar is influential and maintained communication with others despite his services being terminated.
Maliwal addressed the court, stating she is being targeted by AAP leaders and their social media team. She referred to a video by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and mentioned receiving death and rape threats after its publication. “If Bibhav Kumar is allowed to come out, my life and my family’s life would be in grave danger,” she asserted.
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