Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aide Bibhav Kumar Arrested for Alleged Assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal
Delhi:
Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal. The arrest came a day after Maliwal recorded her statement before a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court alleging that Kumar had attacked her on May 13.According to a senior police officer, Kumar was picked up from the chief minister’s residence by a Delhi Police team. He will be produced before a court and police will seek his custody for further interrogation.
AAP Claims Blackmail by BJP
Meanwhile, the AAP claimed that Maliwal was being “blackmailed” by the BJP due to a corruption case she faces. AAP leader Atishi addressed a press conference and said that if the Delhi Police was impartial, it should also register an FIR on Kumar’s complaint.
Atishi alleged that Maliwal was part of a “conspiracy” against Kejriwal and that the BJP had threatened her with arrest in an illegal recruitment case. She said Maliwal was made the face of this “conspiracy” by the BJP.
BJP Accuses AAP of Tarnishing Maliwal’s Image
The BJP, however, accused AAP leaders of tarnishing Maliwal’s image by circulating “edited” videos. Maliwal also attacked her party for dismissing as baseless her assault allegations against Bibhav Kumar.
The AAP, Maliwal said, has made a “U-turn” two days after accepting that Kumar had “misbehaved” with her.
Investigation Ongoing
The Delhi Police said they have recorded the statement of at least 10 people, including security personnel and other staff at the chief minister’s residence, who were present at the time of the alleged assault on May 13. The investigation is ongoing.
