Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on Friday in connection with the alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar’s three-day police custody ended on Friday, and he was produced before the Tis Hazari court in Delhi.
The Delhi Police arrested Kumar on May 18 in connection with the case. During the hearing on Friday, the Delhi Police sought judicial custody for Kumar, arguing that it was necessary for a proper investigation. The Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) appearing on behalf of Maliwal submitted that Kumar’s judicial custody is required to prevent him from tampering with evidence and intimidating witnesses.
Kumar’s defense counsels, Rajat Bhardwaj and Karan Sharma, opposed the judicial custody plea. They argued that Kumar is in no position to interfere with the investigation or tamper with the evidence. Kumar himself stated, “I [Bibhav Kumar] am in no position to induce the witnesses.”
Earlier in the case, on May 28, Kumar was remanded to three-day police custody. The APP had submitted that Kumar formatted his mobile phone and refused to share the password. Maliwal’s advocate also submitted that the police had received an interim report from a forensic expert on CCTV footage.
“The accused is seen entering the area where the DVR was there. He remained there for 20 minutes. There are chances of tampering with the evidence,” the APP argued. The APP also submitted that the complainant stated that the accused videographed the incident and was seen with two mobile phones.
Defense counsel Rajiv Mohan opposed the police’s request for further custody. He argued that the alleged incident took place on May 13, but no complaint was filed for three days, and the FIR was lodged on May 16. Mohan also argued that the police were fabricating evidence and that there was no need for further custody.
The APP opposed the defense’s submissions, saying that the police had received an interim report from a forensic expert regarding the blank portion of the footage. The APP also submitted that Kumar was using two mobile phones, and the police needed to investigate why.
The court will hear the case again on June 14.
