Delhi Court Reserves Decision on Bail for Arvind Kejriwal’s Aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal Assault Case

The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on the bail plea of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the alleged assault case involving AAP MP Swati Maliwal. The court will announce its decision on July 12.

Arguments Presented in Court

During the hearing, Swati Maliwal was present and stated, “Not only was I brutally assaulted by the PA, but the Chief Minister himself came to protect him. Many press conferences were held by Delhi Ministers making malicious allegations against me. I was shamed… My life and my family’s are in threat.”

Senior Advocate Sanjay Jain, representing the Delhi Police, opposed the bail plea, arguing that Kumar is highly influential and could tamper with evidence. He mentioned that the chargesheet would be filed by July 16.

However, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, representing Bibhav Kumar, argued that Kumar has been in custody for 54 days and that the investigation is nearly complete. He questioned the delay in filing the FIR and claimed that the case is an abuse of criminal machinery.

Previous Court Decisions

Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court had previously dismissed Kumar’s second bail plea, citing threats to the victim and the potential for Kumar to influence witnesses. Special Judge Ekta Gauba Mann stated, “In view of the fact that investigation is at initial stage and there is a fear in the mind of the victim regarding her security as well as the security of her family members. There is also apprehension that the accused Bibhav Kumar would influence the witnesses, if at liberty…”

Background

Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18 in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal. He was picked up from the Chief Minister’s residence by a Delhi Police team, a day after Maliwal recorded her statement before a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court.