Swati Maliwal 'Assault' Case: FIR Filed Against Arvind Kejriwal's Personal Assistant Bibhav Kumar

The Delhi Police filed a FIR on Thursday in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, naming his personal assistant Bibhav Kumar as an accused, according to officials. According to them, the FIR was filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code that address violence against women. The case was registered after Maliwal filed a multi-page complaint.

The AAP Rajya Sabha member on Thursday broke her silence over the alleged assault on her. AAP Rajya Sabha MP has recorded her statement with the Delhi Police. Swati also urges the BJP should not indulge in politics over the incident. 

Taking to X, Swati Maliwal wrote, "What happened to me was very bad. I have given my statement to the police on the incident that happened to me. I hope appropriate action will be taken. The past days have been very difficult for me. I thank those who prayed. Those who tried to indulge in character assassination, said that I was doing it at the behest of the other party, God bless them too." The alleged incident took place at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence three days ago. Kejriwal's close aide Bibhav Kumar allegedly "assaulted" Maliwal. 

The FIR has been registered under sections 354, 506, 509, and 323 among other sections of IPC for offences including assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, criminal intimidation, word gesture or act of intent to insult and assault.

Earlier in the day, the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Bibhav Kumar to appear on May 17 in connection with the alleged assault. "The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo moto cognizance of a media post captioned 'DCW chief Swati Maliwal accuses Arvind Kejriwal's personal secretary of assaulting her'. The post reported that Ms Swati Maliwal, RS MP and former DCW chief, has alleged that the Private Secretary of (the) Chief Minister of Delhi had brutally assaulted her at the Chief Minister's residence," read the notice issued by the NCW on Thursday.

"In view of the above, the Commission has scheduled a hearing in this matter on May 17, 2024, at 11 AM. All concerned parties are required to appear before the Commission in person," it added.

Earlier during the day, when reporters asked Kejriwal, during a joint press conference with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, about the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, the AAP supremo refused to answer any questions.