Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal attended Tis Hazari court on Friday to provide her deposition before a magistrate concerning the purported assault by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s associate, Bibhav Kumar, as reported by PTI. She departed her abode at approximately 11 AM, escorted by a Delhi Police contingent.
On the preceding Monday, Maliwal approached the Civil Lines police precinct in Delhi, alleging that a member of Kejriwal’s personal cadre had “assaulted” her at the Chief Minister’s official domicile. Subsequently, on Thursday, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR, identifying Kumar as the accused party.
The charges against Kumar have been brought under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt).
This turmoil for the AAP coincides with Kejriwal being out on provisional bail until June 1, having been detained in Tihar jail related to the Delhi excise policy case. AAP MP Sanjay Singh, during a press briefing, stated that Kumar had “misbehaved” with Maliwal and that Kejriwal had ordered stringent action against his aide.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Kumar was observed at Lucknow airport alongside Kejriwal, who was in the city for a press conference with Samajwadi Party chief and INDIA bloc ally, Akhilesh Yadav. When questioned regarding Maliwal’s accusations, Kejriwal remained silent, while Yadav remarked that there were “more pressing issues to address” than this matter.
