The Delhi High Court Today (July 12th) denied bail to Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case. On July 10, the court postponed its decision on Kumar’s bail application, scheduling the judgment for today.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today denied bail to Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case.
The Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Mehndiratta said,
“No doubt the petitioner happens to be only designated as a Personal Secretary (PS), but effects and circumstances reflect that he yields considerable influence and it cannot be ruled out that witnesses may be influenced or evidence may be tampered with, in case the petitioner is released on bail at this stage.”
The Court further ordered,
“Keeping in view, the nature and gravity of accusation in the apprehension of the witnesses being influenced, no grounds are made out for releasing the petitioner on bail at this stage. Application is accordingly, dismissed, pending application, if any also stand disposed of.”
On July 10, the court postponed its decision on Kumar’s bail application, scheduling the judgment for July 12. Kumar faces charges stemming from an FIR filed on May 16, which includes allegations under several sections of the Indian Penal Code.
A Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar until July 16. Kumar is accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on May 13 at the Chief Minister’s official residence.
Kumar appeared via video conferencing before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who extended his judicial custody.
Earlier, on June 22, another Delhi court extended Kumar’s judicial custody in the Swati Maliwal assault case until July 6.
Senior counsel for the police opposed the bail plea, citing an ongoing investigation and indicating that a charge sheet would be filed by July 16. Senior advocate Sanjay Jain, representing the police, said,
“We are in the midst of investigation and will file the charge sheet on or before July 16.”
Maliwal, also present in court, stated that she has faced threats, trolling, and victim shaming since the incident. She said,
“Not only was I brutally assaulted, but my entire life’s work has also been taken away.”
Kumar’s senior lawyer argued that his continued custody was unnecessary as the investigation was complete. The lawyer stated,
“He has been in custody for 54 days. All necessary investigations are complete. This amounts to pre-trial punishment.”
He further argued that there was no plausible reason for the Chief Minister’s political secretary to assault a member of Parliament. He said,
“It is highly unimaginable that the political secretary would choose to beat her up without any cause. The reason behind the FIR, as far as I can see, is a question of ego.”
Kumar was arrested on May 18 and initially placed in police custody for five days by a magisterial court, which deemed his anticipatory bail plea moot following his arrest. Subsequently, on May 24, he was remanded to four days of judicial custody and later returned to police custody for three days.
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The Delhi Police sought an extension of Kumar’s judicial custody, arguing potential interference with ongoing investigations, a plea opposed by his legal team. Swati Maliwal lodged a complaint with Delhi Police on May 17, detailing alleged harassment and mistreatment experienced during her visit to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on May 13.
According to the allegations, the incident occurred on May 13 at the Chief Minister’s official residence in New Delhi. Maliwal claims that when she was waiting to meet Kejriwal, Kumar verbally accosted her, using abusive language and threats. She also alleges that Kumar physically assaulted her, dragging her and slamming her head on a table.
The case involving Bibhav Kumar and Swati Maliwal carries significant political implications, given Kumar’s association with Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, and both individuals’ ties to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The denial of bail for Kumar has the potential to impact AAP’s political image and electoral prospects, particularly in the context of upcoming elections or public opinion.
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