Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's Aide Bibhav Kumar Challenges Arrest in Swati Maliwal Assault Case - 2024-05-29

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar , approached the Delhi High Court on Wednesday to challenge his arrest in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal assault case, calling it "illegal."

According to his lawyers, the plea has also requested a departmental inquiry against the Delhi Police officers involved in the case.

Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the Chief Minister's residence in New Delhi on May 13. Maliwal has alleged that Kumar used abusive language against her and "brutally assaulted" her, dragging and banging her head on a center table when she was waiting at the CM's official residence.

Kumar 's approach to the high court comes after a Tis Hazari court in Delhi on Monday (May 26) dismissed his bail plea. The court, while rejecting the bail for Kumar , said, "allegations raised by the victim have to be taken on their face value and cannot be swiped away" and also noted that the "apprehension of [ Kumar ] influencing the witnesses or tampering with the evidence cannot be ruled out."

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police, in its remand report, stated that it was a "serious case" where the "brutal assault" could have turned "fatal". Police also alleged that Kumar was not co-operating with the probe and had been evasive in his replies.

Kumar was initially remanded to five days of police custody. He was later remanded to four days of judicial custody. On Tuesday, the trial court remanded him to three days of police custody.

In his plea, Kumar has contended that his arrest is violative of the Supreme Court rulings in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar and Amandeep Singh Johar v. State of NCT of Delhi. Furthermore, Kumar has sought compensation for his "illegal arrest" and has also sought Departmental Action against the erring officials involved in the decision-making of his arrest.