Swati Maliwal case: Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar sent to 14 days judicial custody

Swati Maliwal case: Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18 days after Swati Maliwal accused him of assaulting her at Kejriwal's residence on May 13.

Updated on: May 31, 2024, 17:29:46 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A Delhi court on Friday sent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar to 14 days judicial custody in the Swati Maliwal alleged assault case.

Kumar was produced before Delhi's Tis Hazari court after his three-day police custody ended. His counsel Rajat Bharadwaj opposed the Delhi Police's petition seeking 14 days of police custody.

“I am not going to interfere with the investigation….I had myself prayed to preserve the CCTV footage. I am myself trying to preserve the same so why would I tamper with evidence,” Kumar said.

ALSO READ: Is Swati Maliwal resigning from AAP? Rajya Sabha MP opens up on next move

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18. (PTI file)

“All the witnesses are government employees and I am not in any position to induce or threaten them and I have myself volunteered to appear before the agency to join the probe and I am not a flight risk,” he added.

Earlier on Friday, the Delhi high court had reserved the order on the issue of maintainability of a plea by Kumar challenging his arrest. In his plea, Bibhav Kumar has sought a direction to declare his arrest as illegal and in gross violation of the provisions of Section 41A (notice of appearance before police officer) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and against the mandate of the law.

Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18 days after Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused him of assaulting her at Kejriwal's residence on May 13.

Maliwal, in her complaint, alleged that Bibhav "slapped" her "at least seven to eight times" while she "continued screaming" and "brutally dragged" her while "kicking" her in her “chest, stomach and pelvis area.”

The FIR against Kumar was registered on May 16 under various Indian Penal Code provisions, including for criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe her and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Prior to his arrest, Bibhav Kumar had lodged a counter-complaint with the police, accusing Maliwal of gaining 'unauthorised entry' into the CM's Civil Lines residence and 'verbally abusing' him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.