Swati Maliwal assault case: AAP MP breaks down in court, says 'Bibhav Kumar's release a threat to family'
Swati Maliwal assault case: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal told a Delhi court on Monday that granting bail to Mr Kejriwal's long-term aide and primary accused, Bibhav Kumar would put at risk her and her family. Notably, MAaliwal has accused Kumar of assaulting her at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence.
Maliwal made the statements during a hearing on Bibhav Kumar's bail petition. The attorney representing Bibhav Kumar has questioned the Delhi Police's investigation into the matter, claiming that the AAP MP should be investigated for trespassing in the Chief Minister's residence.
Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha member and former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleges that Bibhav Kumar assaulted her on May 13 at the Chief Minister's residence. The AAP, which had previously stated that Kejriwal's aides "misbehaved" with Maliwal and would face consequences, later claimed she was a part of a BJP conspiracy against Kejriwal.
Bibhav Kumar's attorney stated that they had filed a trespassing charge against Maliwal. "She directly entered the Chief Minister's residence. This amounts to trespass. This is a Chief Minister's home, can anyone come like this? She was asked to wait outside, but she barged and crossed the security zone. Being an MP gives you the licence to do anything. This is trespass, and the FIR is against us. What kind of investigation is this?"
When asked who had asked her to attend the Chief Minister's residence, Bibhav Kumar's lawyer responded, "She came with something in her mind; she had prepared thoughts before arriving. She kept asking security personnel if they'd spoken with Bibhav Kumar."
When Maliwal barged in, Bibhav Kumar's counsel asked the security staff why she had been allowed in. "He has to ask, as he is answerable for the Chief Minister's security. Security personnel then went inside and with all respect, she was escorted outside. She was walking out of the place normally. There was no hesitation seen," the lawyer added.
Bibhav Kumar's counsel also questioned Maliwal's delay in submitting a police complaint. "She didn't file a complaint that day. She completed it three days later. She was the DCW chief, and she was fully aware of her rights. If her rights were violated, she should have filed a complaint promptly. Why the three-day delay," the lawyer asked.
- With inputs from agencies
