The political landscape in Delhi has been recently shaken by serious allegations of assault involving high-profile members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Swati Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, has accused Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, of assaulting her. This accusation has sparked a fierce exchange of statements and counter-allegations within the party and from opposition members.
Swati Maliwal’s Allegations
Swati Maliwal claimed that on Monday, she was physically assaulted by Bibhav Kumar at the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. According to the FIR registered by the Delhi Police, Maliwal was kicked and slapped multiple times by Kumar. Despite her pleas to stop and informing him that she was in pain and mensturating, Kumar allegedly continued to assault her with full force. She also mentioned that no one came to her rescue during the incident.
Two PCR calls were made to a police station by a “lady caller,” which brought the incident to the attention of law enforcement. Following these calls, the Delhi Police arrested Kumar on Thursday, prompting a wave of reactions from various political figures.
AAP’s Response and BJP’s Counterclaims
Atishi, a prominent AAP leader, quickly dismissed Maliwal’s allegations as baseless. During a press conference held at 6 pm on Friday, Atishi accused Maliwal of lying and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was behind a conspiracy to frame Chief Minister Kejriwal. Atishi stated, “Swati Maliwal has become the face of BJP’s conspiracy to frame Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.”
कल स्वाति मालीवाल जी की CM आवास के Drawing Room की एक वीडियो सामने आई। इस वीडियो में वो कह रही हैं कि उन्होंने 112 नंबर पर कॉल कर दिया है। इससे साफ़ मालूम पड़ता है कि उन्होंने यह कॉल कथित रूप से हुई मारपीट के बाद किया है।
लेकिन इस वीडियो को देखने पर साफ़ दिखता है कि वह ना तो… pic.twitter.com/orT9mEHZ4E
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 18, 2024
In response, the Delhi BJP accused AAP of being in a state of panic and hopelessness due to the “tightening noose” in the Maliwal assault case. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva suggested that Atishi’s statements indicated the party’s desperation and accused AAP of protecting a criminal. Sachdeva pointed out the silence of Kejriwal on the issue and questioned why Atishi had not commented on this earlier. He also referenced AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s admission of the incident, which indicated that Kejriwal had taken cognizance of it.
Sachdeva emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The whole country stands with Maliwal in her struggle for her honor,” and demanded strict action against the guilty parties.
Bibhav Kumar’s Defense and Counter-allegations
In a twist to the saga, Bibhav Kumar filed a written complaint against Swati Maliwal on Friday evening. Kumar’s complaint, shared on AAP’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, accused Swati Maliwal of creating a false narrative and breaching the security of the Chief Minister’s residence. Kumar claimed that Maliwal illegally entered the residence, created a ruckus, and assaulted him.
AAP has also released a CCTV video arguing that it “reveals the true colours of Swati Maliwal”. In the video, Swati is seen being escorted by security guards without any limp or injury. AAP in fact argued that “this lady is arguing with the guards.”
स्वाति मालीवाल के आरोपों की असलियत उजागर कर रहा है ये वीडियो 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/dBkH5YhKdD
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 18, 2024
Kumar’s complaint detailed the incident from his perspective, alleging that Swati Maliwal started screaming, shouting, and hurling abuses at him. According to Kumar, despite several polite attempts to ask her to leave, Maliwal rushed towards him with the intent to push him away and continued to abuse him verbally. He accused Maliwal of threatening him with false cases and said, “Main tujhe dekh lungi ******…main tujhe aese joothe case mei fasaungi ki tujhe zindagi bhar jail mei sadah dungi.”
Kumar asserted that Maliwal’s actions and statements were malicious and intended to create undue pressure on him. He requested the police to take appropriate action to set the record straight regarding the incident.
Political Repercussions and Public Reaction
The incident has not only created ripples within the AAP but has also drawn significant public and political attention. The BJP has seized the opportunity to criticize the AAP leadership and portray the incident as a sign of deeper issues within the party. The exchange of accusations between Atishi and BJP leaders has intensified the controversy, with each side attempting to leverage the incident for political gain.
The public reaction has been mixed, with some supporting Maliwal’s allegations and calling for a thorough investigation, while others view the incident as a politically motivated ploy. The demand for transparency and justice has grown louder, with many urging the authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry to uncover the truth.
The allegations of assault involving Swati Maliwal and Bibhav Kumar have triggered a significant political storm in Delhi. As both sides continue to present their versions of the events, the need for a clear and unbiased investigation becomes paramount. The incident underscores the volatile nature of political rivalries and the impact such controversies can have on public trust and party dynamics. Regardless of the outcome, the case highlights the importance of addressing allegations of misconduct seriously and ensuring that justice is served transparently and fairly.
ALSO READ: ‘Sitharaman’s Response to Stock Broker: “Can’t Answer Sitting Here” on Govt Being a “Sleeping Partner”‘
