Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar arrested in Swati Maliwal 'assault' case

• Image Credit: Google

• May 18, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

The secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by Delhi Police following allegations of assaulting...

Digital Desk: In a significant development, Bibhav Kumar, the secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been arrested by Delhi Police following allegations of assaulting Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. The arrest came after Ms. Maliwal filed an FIR accusing Kumar of physically assaulting her during a visit to Mr. Kejriwal's residence on Monday.

According to a senior police officer, Mr. Kumar was apprehended around noon from the Chief Minister's residence and subsequently taken to the police station for interrogation. Despite assurances of cooperation from Mr. Kumar's legal team, they reported not having received any formal communication from the police. Karan Sharma, Mr. Kumar’s lawyer, stated, "We've not received any information from the police yet. We've sent them an email that we will cooperate in the investigation."

The incident has sparked a political uproar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Chief Minister Kejriwal's silence on the matter. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia condemned the Chief Minister, labeling him the "main criminal" due to his inaction during the alleged assault.

A video purportedly showing the altercation between Ms. Maliwal and the staff at the Chief Minister's residence has circulated on social media, intensifying public scrutiny. The footage depicts a heated exchange and physical confrontation.

In her FIR, Ms. Maliwal described the severity of the assault, stating that Mr. Kumar hit her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area. "I felt absolutely shocked and was screaming for help over and over again. In order to protect myself, I pushed him away with my legs. At that time, he pounced on me, brutally dragged and deliberately pulled my shirt up," the FIR details. She further alleged that Mr. Kumar continued to kick her in the chest, stomach, and pelvis.

As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to fuel political tensions, with widespread calls for accountability and justice.