Delhi Court Remands Arvind Kejriwal's Aide Bibhav Kumar to Police Custody for Five Days in Swati Maliwal Assault Case

In a late-night hearing, a Delhi court has ordered the remand of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to five days of police custody in connection with the assault case involving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal. The order was passed by Judge Gaurav Goyal after midnight following arguments from both Delhi Police and Kumar's legal team.

Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava represented the Delhi Police, seeking a seven-day police custody for Kumar to facilitate the investigation. However, this request was contested by Kumar's counsels, Rajiv Mohan and Shadan Farasat, who argued that Kumar's arrest was hasty, especially since he had filed for anticipatory bail. The bail application became moot after his arrest earlier in the day.

Maliwal, who has been vocal about the incident, alleged that Kumar assaulted her at Kejriwal's residence, hitting her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area with his legs. The FIR lodged by Maliwal details these allegations, which have been vigorously countered by the AAP. The party insists that the allegations are politically motivated and without merit.

In an additional twist, videos have surfaced on social media showing Maliwal engaging in a heated argument with security personnel as she exited the Chief Minister's residence. These videos have fueled speculation and debate over the incident.

The court's decision to grant five days of police custody for Kumar aims to allow the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly. The case has attracted significant public and media attention, highlighting the ongoing political tensions and the sensitive nature of the allegations.

Kumar's legal team maintains that the charges are baseless and asserts that his arrest was unwarranted. They plan to challenge the police custody and continue to push for Kumar's release.

As the investigation progresses, the Delhi Police are expected to probe deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident, examining all available evidence, including the newly surfaced videos and testimonies from involved parties.

The case underscores the heightened political climate and the scrutiny faced by public figures in India, particularly those associated with high-profile leaders and political movements.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News write, MIT ADT University