Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar booked for allegedly assaulting Swati Maliwal
The Delhi Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, for allegedly assaulting Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of woman), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). Maliwal was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for a check-up.
Maliwal breaks silence on harassment allegations
After maintaining silence for four days, Maliwal, later on Thursday, acknowledged the alleged assault in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "What happened to me was very bad. I have given my statement to the police... I hope that appropriate action will be taken. The last few days have been very difficult for me," she said. Pointing out that the Lok Sabha elections are underway, she said, "Swati Maliwal is not important, the issues of the country are important."
Read: Maliwal's full statement here
NCW summons Kumar
According to reports, the FIR came hours after the National Commission for Women issued a summons to Kumar over the incident. In a letter, the NCW said, "[The commission]...has taken suo motu cognizance of...media post.'DCW chief Swati Maliwal accuses Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary of assaulting her.'" The hearing is scheduled for Friday, 11:00am, and all parties involved are required to appear in person.
Delhi Police receives distress call
On Monday, Delhi Police said it received two distress calls from Kejriwal's residence that Maliwal had been assaulted there. The callers claimed that Kejriwal's aide Kumar prevented the former Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson from meeting with the CM—who is out on bail—at his residence and allegedly harassed her. On the same day, Maliwal had visited the Civil Lines Police Station but left without lodging any complaint.
AAP leader visited Maliwal amid assault allegations
On Tuesday, AAP leader Sanjay Singh admitted that Kumar "misbehaved" with Maliwal at the CM's residence on Monday. Describing the incident as "highly condemnable," Singh had said that Kejriwal is aware of the situation and "will take strict action." "A very distressing incident took place...Kejriwal had called...Maliwal for a meeting...She was waiting in the drawing room...when...Kumar...misbehaved with her," Singh had added. Singh also visited Maliwal at her residence on Wednesday.
BJP accuses Kejriwal of shielding Kumar
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accused CM Kejriwal of protecting his aide. The party has been demanding action against Kumar and staged protests in Delhi calling for "justice for Swati Maliwal." Separately, on Thursday, the controversy gathered pace after the Delhi CM was spotted with Kumar at the Lucknow airport. Singh was also present with the two.
Kejriwal, Akhilesh evade questions on assault case
During the joint press conference of Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday the two leaders sidestepped questions on Maliwal's assault case. When reporters raised questions on the incident, Kejriwal handed over the microphone to Yadav who dismissed it by stating, "There are more important things than this."
