The Delhi High Court has refused to grant bail to Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with an alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. The court emphasized Kumar’s significant influence due to his position, raising concerns about the potential for witness tampering and evidence manipulation.
Kumar is currently in judicial custody after being arrested on May 18, following the alleged assault on Maliwal on May 13 at Kejriwal’s official residence. This decision by the Delhi High Court on July 12 came after a previous denial of bail by the Tis Hazari court on June 7. Both courts highlighted the seriousness of the charges against Kumar and the possibility of him influencing witnesses.
Swati Maliwal, in her complaint, claimed that Kumar had physically assaulted her.
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The incident reportedly took place when she went to meet Chief Minister Kejriwal at his residence. Videos from the day of the incident have surfaced on social media, showing Maliwal arguing with security personnel and leaving the CM’s residence.
Maliwal’s advocate mentioned that despite Kumar being in jail, she continues to receive threats. An FIR was registered against Kumar on May 16 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal intimidation, assault, or criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
The Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that the BJP is behind a conspiracy to frame Kumar and other party leaders, including MP Raghav Chadha and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj.
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