Today(on 15th June), Former Kejriwal aide Bibhav Kumar’s judicial custody extended till June 22 by Delhi’s Tis Hazari court following his arrest in connection with an assault case involving AAP MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was presented via video conferencing after his one-day remand on Friday.
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DELHI: Today(on 15th June), Delhi’s Tis Hazari court extended the judicial custody of Bibhav Kumar, a former aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, till June 22. Kumar was presented through video conferencing after the expiry of his judicial custody.
On Friday, Bibhav Kumar was remanded to one-day judicial custody by the court. Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Neha Goel extended the judicial custody. Advocate Karan Sharma appeared on behalf of Bibhav Kumar.
Kumar was initially remanded to judicial custody on May 31 following his interrogation in connection with the alleged assault case involving Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was arrested on May 18 by the Delhi Police after a complaint was filed by Maliwal on May 16 regarding the alleged incident that took place on May 13.
Recently, Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court dismissed the regular bail plea of Bibhav Kumar. The court dismissed the bail application in view of the threats received by the victim, Swati Maliwal, and the apprehension of influencing the witnesses by the accused.
Background:
The case against Bibhav Kumar began with a complaint from Swati Maliwal, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament, on May 16. Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted on May 13, leading to the registration of the case by the Delhi Police. Following an investigation, Kumar was arrested on May 18 and subsequently remanded to judicial custody on May 31.
During the hearing on Friday, Kumar’s judicial custody was extended for one day. On Saturday, Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Neha Goel further extended his judicial custody till June 22. Advocate Karan Sharma, representing Kumar, was present during the proceedings.
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The court’s decision to extend Kumar’s judicial custody came amidst concerns about the safety of the victim, Swati Maliwal. The court noted that Maliwal had received threats, and there was a significant risk of the accused attempting to influence the witnesses. This led to the dismissal of Kumar’s regular bail plea by the Tis Hazari Court.
The dismissal of the bail application underscores the severity of the allegations and the court’s commitment to ensuring a fair investigation. The extension of Kumar’s judicial custody allows for continued scrutiny and protection of all parties involved, particularly the victim, Swati Maliwal.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile individuals, including a former aide to the Delhi Chief Minister and an AAP MP. The judicial proceedings and the court’s decisions are being closely monitored by various stakeholders, highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal process.
As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the allegations and ensuring that justice is served. The extension of Bibhav Kumar’s judicial custody till June 22 is a step in this direction, allowing for a thorough examination of the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
the court has dismissed the bail application of the accused, Bibhav Kumar, emphasizing the preliminary stage of the investigation and the potential threats to the victim and her family. Special Judge Ekta Gauba Mann presided over the case, which has seen multiple bail pleas from the accused being denied.
While dismissing the bail application, the court made a significant observation:
“Considering that the investigation is in its early stages and given the victim’s concerns about her safety and that of her family members… There is also a fear that Bibhav Kumar, if released, could potentially influence witnesses.”
Given these concerns, the court concluded-
“Therefore, I find no merit in the bail application of accused Bibhav Kumar. Accordingly, the current regular bail application of accused Bibhav Kumar is dismissed.”
This decision marks the second time the court has denied bail to Kumar. His first regular bail plea was dismissed on May 27. The repeated denials highlight the seriousness with which the court is handling the security concerns and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
ALSO READ: [Swati Maliwal Assault Case] Delhi Court Extends Bibhav Kumar’s Judicial Custody For One Day
