Today, On 25th July, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s close aide, Bibhav Kumar, appealed the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court’s decision denying him bail. Kumar is accused of assaulting Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s close aide, Bibhav Kumar, petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court‘s decision denying him bail in the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
Kumar filed a special leave petition against the High Court‘s July 12 order, where Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta rejected his bail plea. The judge cited Kumar’s considerable influence and determined there were no grounds for bail, considering the nature of the accusations and the potential for witness tampering.
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Kumar arrested on May 18 in connection with the May 13 assault on Maliwal and was presented late at night before a local court, which remanded him to five days of police custody. An FIR registered against Kumar following the alleged assault on the former Delhi Women Commission (DCW) chief at the Chief Minister’s residence.
The FIR includes charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), Section 341 (wrongful restraint), Section 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
Meanwhile, a local court extended Bibhav Kumar’s judicial custody until July 30. In addition, the Delhi Police submitted a charge sheet to the Tis Hazari Court, identifying Kumar as the primary accused in the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal.
The charge sheet outlines the events and evidence supporting the accusations against Kumar, further detailing the charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including attempt to commit culpable homicide, wrongful restraint, assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe, criminal intimidation, and insulting the modesty of a woman.
This development adds to the legal challenges faced by Kumar as he awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on his appeal against the Delhi High Court‘s bail denial.
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.
In conclusion, the denial of bail for Bibhav Kumar in the assault case against Swati Maliwal carries significant legal, political, and socio-cultural implications. It reflects the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for alleged acts of violence, while also raising questions about the intersection of politics and justice in India.