Kejriwal's aide Bibhav taken to Mumbai for iPhone data retrieval
The Delhi Police's five-member special investigation team (SIT) is taking Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, to Mumbai to retrieve data from his formatted iPhone. Kumar was arrested for allegedly assaulting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. He is under a five-day judicial custody. According to the police, Kumar had formatted his phone before transferring the data to someone or some device in Mumbai.
Mumbai trip for data retrieval from formatted iPhone
Kumar was arrested on Saturday at Kejriwal's residence, two days after a case was registered against him. The Delhi CM's aide has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
Maliwal's complaint
In her complaint on May 16, Maliwal alleged that Kumar "slapped" her "seven to eight times," "brutally dragged" her, and kicked her in the "chest, stomach, and pelvis area." The AAP has, however, refuted the charges, with Delhi Minister Atishi alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made Maliwal file the first information report (FIR).
Counter allegations and FIR controversy
Kumar had gone missing since the allegations surfaced and even failed to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday. The same day, Kumar filed a counter-complaint against Maliwal, accusing her of "trying to falsely implicate" him in an effort to "create undue pressure." In his complaint, he alleged that Maliwal was the instigator and even threatened to implicate him in a false case.
New CCTV footage shows Maliwal walking out of Kejriwal's home
Seeming to back Kumar, the AAP on Saturday shared new CCTV footage from May 13, showing Maliwal leaving Kejriwal's home, escorted out by the police and security guards. In the new CCTV footage, Maliwal appears to be unharmed and can even be seen attempting to free herself from the policewoman's grasp. "This video exposes the truth behind Swati Maliwal's allegations," the AAP wrote on X.
Maliwal's medical report
Meanwhile, Maliwal's medico-legal case (MLC) report showed she suffered injuries to her left leg dorsal and right cheek. "Swati Maliwal has a 3x2 centimeter bruise over her 'proximal left leg dorsal aspect' and another bruise of 2x2 centimeter bruise over her "right cheek below her right eye'," the report stated. The examination was conducted at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center at AIIMS Delhi on May 16 night after she filed an FIR.
