In a significant development, the Tis Hazari Court in Delhi has denied bail to Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the case involving the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. The court has remanded Kumar to five days of police custody to facilitate further investigation into the incident.
Case Background
The case stems from allegations by Swati Maliwal that Kumar physically assaulted her at the Chief Minister’s residence. According to Maliwal, Kumar slapped her multiple times and dragged her brutally, causing significant distress and injuries. The complaint was lodged three days after the incident, raising questions from the defense about the delay in filing and the circumstances under which the alleged assault occurred【548†source】【549†source】【550†source】.
Court Proceedings
During the court proceedings, the prosecution argued that Kumar’s custody was necessary to retrieve data from his mobile phone, which he had allegedly formatted, and to investigate his involvement and influence over witnesses. The prosecution also highlighted that there was no CCTV footage from inside the residence, making it crucial to examine other evidence thoroughly.
The defense, however, contested the charges, arguing that Maliwal’s visit to the Chief Minister’s residence was unauthorized and that the delay in filing the complaint was questionable. They also pointed out that Maliwal did not seek immediate medical attention, which further complicates the narrative of the assault.
Despite these arguments, the court sided with the prosecution, emphasizing the need for a detailed investigation to uncover the facts and ensure justice【548†source】【549†source】【550†source】.
Implications
The denial of bail to Bibhav Kumar signifies the seriousness with which the judiciary is treating the allegations of assault. It also underscores the ongoing tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party and the potential legal ramifications for those involved.