The controversy over Swati Maliwal’s allegations against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, escalated sharply on Friday afternoon after a police team took the AAP Rajya Sabha MP to the party chief’s residence, where the alleged assault took place. Swati Maliwal was taken to the house to recreate the crime scene, sources said.
Before the MP was taken to the home of Arvind Kejriwal, a Delhi police team, accompanied by five forensic scientists, had gone to the spot. The four-member police team was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Anjitha Chepyala. The forensic team had left the residence and has now gone back.
In addition to collecting CCTV footage from the living room — where Swati Maliwal has claimed she was slapped seven times and kicked in the chest — the police reportedly recorded witness statements and spoke to members of Arvind Kejriwal’s security staff, including those seen arguing with the AAP leader in blurry mobile phone footage of the stand-off that was leaked online this morning.
A police case was filed against Bibhav Kumar last night based on a statement by Swati Maliwal, which was recorded hours earlier. Bibhav Kumar faces charges that include assault and criminal intimidation.
Bibhav Kumar was also issued a notice by the National Commission for Women to appear this morning, but he failed to do so. A second summons has been issued.
Swati Maliwal’s public statement
In her first public comment on this row, Swati Maliwal called for action against those who allegedly attacked her, and wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The last few days have been very difficult…”
She also hit out at critics who have suggested her claims are being orchestrated by “the other party”; the comment has been seen as referring to the BJP, which has now launched waves of criticism of Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP ahead of the election in Delhi, accusing both of being “anti-women”.
Viral video from Kejriwal’s home
In the 52-second video that emerged from Arvind Kejriwal’s home, Swati Maliwal, who is seen briefly, seems to be arguing with security staff. The guards are heard asking her to leave the building.
Swati Maliwal refuses to leave, warns the security officers she has called the police, and dares the guards to physically eject her from the Chief Minister’s home. After the video emerged online, Swati Maliwal slammed the party. In a post on X, she referred to a “political hitman” — a remark seen by many as aimed at Arvind Kejriwal — and claimed the “hitman” had directed “his people” to share the video in question to build a narrative to “save himself (after) committing this crime”. The AAP responded by sharing the video and writing, “The truth of Swati Maliwal.”
Incident details and police involvement
Swati Maliwal was allegedly assaulted by Bibhav Kumar at Arvind Kejriwal’s home on Monday. Early reports indicated this occurred while she was waiting to meet the Chief Minister.
The police confirmed two emergency calls were made from Arvind Kejriwal’s home from a number registered to Swati Maliwal. No immediate complaint was filed; in fact, Swati Maliwal then went incommunicado. On Tuesday, over 24 hours after the alleged assault, the AAP finally issued a statement.
Also Read: In Swati Maliwal assault controversy, viral clip shows ‘flip side of coin’
Senior member Sanjay Singh confirmed a “distressing incident” had taken place and said the party would support Swati Maliwal, whom he acknowledged as “one of the party’s oldest leaders”. It wasn’t until Thursday that Swati Maliwal recorded her statement and the case was filed.
AAP under attack
The row has given the BJP ample ammunition with which to attack the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal just days before the Delhi Lok Sabha election. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman picked up that baton this morning, slamming the Chief Minister as “shameless” for continuing to associate with Bibhav Kumar.
AAP accused in liquor policy row
Shortly after the police landed up at Arvind Kejriwal’s home, there was further trouble for the AAP. The Enforcement Directorate — which arrested the Chief Minister in March in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam — named, for the first time ever, an entire political party as an accused in a case.
The landmark move by the federal agency — which the opposition has accused of targeting opposition parties and leaders on instructions from the ruling BJP—could lead to the AAP being de-recognised, which could prove to be a fatal blow in the midst of a general election.
Also Read: Swati Maliwal assault: Nirmala Sitharaman demands apology from Arvind Kejriwal
The AAP and Arvind Kejriwal have denied all charges in the alleged liquor policy row and have accused the BJP of orchestrating a “political vendetta” to defame the party and its leader during the election.
The ED has claimed Arvind Kejriwal manipulated the liquor excise policy (now scrapped) to get bribes of Rs 100 crore — including funds from a ‘South group’ led by arrested Telangana lawmaker K Kavitha — for the allotment of licenses. This money was allegedly then used to fund poll campaigns.
Last week, the Supreme Court released Arvind Kejriwal on interim bail in this matter, reasoning that as a sitting Chief Minister and leader of a national political party, he should be allowed to campaign during an election and could not be seen as a flight risk or habitual offender. Arvind Kejriwal is on bail till June 1, the end of the election, and must return to jail by June 2.
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