Delhi Court Rejects Second Bail Plea of Arvind Kejriwal's Aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal Assault Case - 2024-06-07

Delhi Court Rejects Second Bail Plea of Arvind Kejriwal 's Aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal Assault Case

In a significant development in the Swati Maliwal assault case, the Delhi's Tis Hazari Court has dismissed the second regular bail plea of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal 's aide, Bibhav Kumar .

The court observed that the investigation is at an initial stage, and there is a fear in the mind of the victim, Swati Maliwal , regarding her security and that of her family members, as she is receiving continuous threats. The court also noted that there is every apprehension that the accused, Bibhav Kumar , would influence the witnesses if granted bail.

"The investigation is at initial stage and there is fear in the mind of victim regarding her security as well as security of her family members as she is receiving continuous threats. There is also every apprehension that applicant or accused Bibhav Kumar would influence the witnesses, if at liberty. So, I do not find any merit in the present bail application," said Judge Ekta Gauba Mann.

This is the second time the court has rejected Kumar 's bail request, with the first dismissal on May 27. Maliwal had accused Bibhav Kumar of hitting her with "full force again and again" in her FIR, alleging that he slapped her 7-8 times and kicked her in the chest and abdomen on May 13 when she had gone to meet the chief minister.

According to the medico-legal certificate (MLC) issued by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Maliwal had "bruises over proximal left leg dorsal aspect of approx size 3x2 cm and right cheek elbow below right eye of approx size 2x2 cm".

The Delhi High Court has also reserved its order on the maintainability of a plea by Kumar challenging his arrest in the case. The Delhi Police has alleged that Kumar has been non-cooperative during the investigation and has given evasive answers to the questions.

The case has sparked a political controversy, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the Delhi Police of targeting its leaders. The party has also alleged that there have been attempts to make Maliwal the "villain" and Kumar the "hero" in the case.

The dismissal of Kumar 's second bail plea is a significant setback for the AAP and its leadership, as the party continues to face scrutiny over the alleged assault on one of its own Rajya Sabha members.