AAP leader Swati Maliwal has accused Bibhav Kumar, an aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, of assaulting her inside Kejriwal’s residence in the Civil Lines area. On Friday, she also responded sharply to a 52-second mobile phone video shared in the afternoon by social media users. The clip shows Swati Maliwal arguing with the security officials who asked her to leave the premises.
Maliwal’s response on social media
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Swati Maliwal referred to a “political hitman,” a remark perceived by many as directed at Arvind Kejriwal. She claimed that this “hitman” had instructed his associates to circulate the video to build a narrative in the party’s defense and “save himself after committing this crime.”
“Like every time… this political hitman has started efforts to save himself. By getting his people to tweet and play videos without any context, he thinks he can save himself (after) committing this crime,” Swati Maliwal stated. She further challenged, “Who makes a video of someone being beaten up? The truth will be revealed when CCTV footage of the house and room is checked.”
Video of a sequence after the assault on #SwatiMaliwal clearly taken in #SheeshMahal’s living room. Something isn’t adding up here. Also horrific details from Swati’s FIR. pic.twitter.com/GgyA0O45hJ
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) May 17, 2024
Confrontation with security guards
The video shows Swati Maliwal purportedly seated on a couch while arguing with security officials. The guards request her to leave, to which she responds angrily, “… I will not. I will do it. I will do it. Today, I will tell these people everything.” A guard assures her that they will inform the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and asks her to accompany them. Swati Maliwal insists on staying, threatening to complain to the Civil Lines Police Station. “No. Now this will happen here,” she declares, daring the guards to touch her.
AAP MP Swati Maliwal at Tis Hazari court to record her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 CrPC in the assault case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s PA Bibhav Kumar#arvindkejriwalcmdelhi #SwatiMaliwal#TisHazariCourt#BibhavKumar#AAP#BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/uuYwpErO80
— The Theorist (@thetheorist_in) May 17, 2024
Throughout the video, the camera pans between the ground and the officer arguing with Maliwal. At one point, she is purportedly seen wearing a pink top and sitting on the couch. Despite the guards’ polite requests, she remains defiant, indicating she had called the police emergency helpline for women in distress.
Also Read: Swati Maliwal breaks silence, files complaint against Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar
Delhi Police involvement
On Monday, Delhi Police, which have registered a case against Bibhav Kumar based on Maliwal’s statement, confirmed receiving two calls from within Kejriwal’s residence. Although the phone number was registered to Swati Maliwal, the callers did not identify themselves.
Political Reactions
The AAP’s terse response to the video, “The truth of Swati Maliwal,” highlights the strained relationship between the party and Swati Maliwal. In her first public comment on the incident, Swati Maliwal called for action against those who allegedly attacked her, describing the past few days as very difficult.
Also Read: Swati Maliwal assault: Nirmala Sitharaman demands apology from Arvind Kejriwal
BJP and Congress responses
The BJP has seized on the controversy, accusing Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP of being “anti-women.” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Kejriwal, calling him “shameless” for continuing to associate with Bibhav Kumar and demanding an apology. Bibhav Kumar faces charges including assault, criminal intimidation and outraging a woman’s modesty and has been summoned by the National Commission of Women.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh expressed support for Maliwal, acknowledging her contributions and promising serious action as directed by Arvind Kejriwal. However, the BJP questioned the delay in the party’s response to the assault.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the only major opposition leader to comment, expressed solidarity with Swati Maliwal, stating, “I always stand with women, irrespective of which party they belong to.”
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the AAP and how it navigates this internal crisis while facing external political pressure.
Read all the World News, Business News, Sports News, Entertainment News, Business News and Opinion here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
