Today(on 17th May),AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal arrives at Tis Hazari Court to record her statement under Section 164, following her complaint leading to an FIR against an aide to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for alleged assault at the Chief Minister’s residence.
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Delhi: Today(on 17th May), AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal arrived at the Tis Hazari Court in Delhi to record her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Section 164 empowers a magistrate to record a person’s statement or confession during a police investigation before the trial.
This development comes following a formal complaint lodged by Maliwal, which led to the registration of an FIR against Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, for allegedly assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence.
According to the police FIR, Maliwal recounted in her complaint that she was subjected to physical violence by Bibhav Kumar at the Chief Minister’s house.
“I was subjected to slapping, stomach punches, physical attack, and kicks by Bibhav Kumar at the Chief Minister’s residence,”
-she stated.
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The Delhi police, taking swift action, registered an FIR naming Kumar and charged him under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 354, 506, 509, and 323. These sections pertain to assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, criminal intimidation, word gesture or acts intended to insult, and causing hurt.
In an effort to corroborate Maliwal’s allegations, the Delhi Police have reached out to the company responsible for the installation of CCTVs at Kejriwal’s residence. They have requested access to all relevant footage from the incident.
“The police will thoroughly examine all CCTV footage pertaining to the incident.”
-sources indicated.
Notably, there are eight CCTV cameras installed outside the Chief Minister’s house. Currently, around ten police teams are actively investigating the case, with four teams specifically tasked with locating Bibhav Kumar, who is reportedly in Punjab.
The incident has attracted significant attention, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) stepping in. NCW Chief Rekha Sharma, on Friday, demanded an action taken report from the Delhi Police concerning the case.
“We’ve requested an Action Taken Report from the Police. FIR charges have been filed. Swati Maliwal underwent a medical examination today. Bibhav has yet to respond to our notice.”
-Sharma remarked.
Sharma elaborated on the NCW’s intervention, stating-
“We took suo moto action upon seeing this on social media. I closely monitored the situation and urged her to come forward and file a complaint. It appears she was traumatized, as no one anticipated such an assault at the leader’s residence. As an MP advocating for women’s issues, I assured her of my support and encouraged her to come forward. After careful consideration, she eventually filed a complaint.”
The political ramifications of this incident have been profound. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized the opportunity to criticize Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, questioning his ability to ensure women’s safety in the national capital.
ALSO READ: ‘Kejriwal Asked Close Aide Bibhav To Assault Me’: Swati Maliwal Tells Cops | NCW Vows Legal Action
“Women in Delhi are questioning whether the Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, can ensure their safety. He bears responsibility for this incident.”
-asserted Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a press conference in Delhi.
The assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal‘s residence has prompted extensive investigations by the Delhi Police. FIR registration and charge framing have occurred, with endeavors ongoing to obtain pertinent CCTV footage. The National Commission for Women (NCW) is actively overseeing the case and has sought an Action Taken Report from the police. Concurrently, the BJP has utilized this incident to cast doubt on the Chief Minister’s capacity to safeguard women in the national capital.
