Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has launched a scathing attack on Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following the release of Bibhav Kumar on bail. Kumar, a close aide of Kejriwal, was arrested in May for allegedly assaulting Maliwal.
Sunita Kejriwal had expressed relief on social media, sharing a photo of Kumar and former AAP communication head Vijay Nair, who was also released on bail. In response, Maliwal questioned how they could expect respect for women when they find comfort in the release of a man accused of assaulting her.
Maliwal, the former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, went on to express her outrage, stating that she was ‘relieved’ because the man who assaulted her in his house has been released. She highlighted the alleged attempt to discredit her and silence her voice.
Maliwal further asserted that this incident sends a clear message to everyone: that women can be attacked, smeared, and then the perpetrators can be protected by an army of expensive lawyers.
Bibhav Kumar’s arrest came on May 18, 2023, after Maliwal accused him of assault. A charge sheet has been filed against him, and he is facing charges related to criminal intimidation and attempt to commit culpable homicide. The Tis Hazari Court granted him bail on various conditions, including keeping his mobile phone switched on at all times and cooperating with the investigation.
Maliwal’s comments have sparked a fresh controversy, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the AAP and its critics. It remains to be seen how this will play out in the political landscape of Delhi.
