Swati Maliwal Taken To Arvind Kejriwal's Home As Cops Probe Assault Allegations - 2024-05-18

The controversy over Swati Maliwal 's allegations against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal 's aide - Bibhav Kumar - escalated sharply on Friday afternoon after a police team took the AAP Rajya Sabha MP to the party chief's residence, where the alleged assault took place.

Ms Maliwal was taken to the house to 're-create the crime scene', sources said.

Earlier a Delhi Police team, accompanied by five forensic scientists, had visited the house. The four-member team was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Anjitha Chepyala.

The forensic team, which first came with the cops, returned with Ms Maliwal .

In addition to collecting CCTV footage from the living room - where Ms Maliwal has claimed she was slapped seven times and kicked in the chest - the police reportedly recorded witness statements and spoke to members of Arvind Kejriwal 's security staff, including those seen arguing with the AAP leader in blurry mobile phone footage of the stand-off that was leaked online this morning.

A police case has been filed against Mr Kumar last night based on Ms Maliwal 's statement, which was recorded hours earlier. Bibhav Kumar faces charges that include assault and criminal intimidation.

Mr Kumar was also issued a notice by the National Commission for Women to appear this morning, but he failed to do so. A second summons has been issued.

Prior to that, in her first public comment on this row, Ms Maliwal called for action against those who allegedly attacked her, and wrote on X, 'The last few days have been very difficult...'

She also hit out at critics who have suggested her claims are being orchestrated by 'the other party'; the comment has been seen as referring to the BJP, which has now launched waves of criticism of Mr Kejriwal and the AAP ahead of the election in Delhi, accusing both of being 'anti-women'.

The row has given the BJP ample ammunition with which to attack the AAP and Mr Kejriwal just days before the Delhi Lok Sabha election. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman picked up that baton this morning, slamming the Chief Minister as 'shameless' for continuing to associate with Bibhav Kumar .

Shortly after the police landed up at Mr Kejriwal 's home, there was further trouble for the AAP. The Enforcement Directorate - which arrested the Chief Minister in March in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam - named, for the first time ever, an entire political party as an accused in a case. The landmark move by the federal agency - which the opposition has accused of targeting opposition parties and leaders on instructions from the ruling BJP - could lead to the AAP being de-recognised, which could prove to be a fatal blow in the midst of a general election.