New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken a dim view and expressed shock at the actions of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s political secretary Bibhav Kumar in physically assaulting Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
What did the apex court say
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Surya Kant while hearing a bail petition by Bibhav Kumar in te Swati Maliwal assault case said, “Look at the allegations against him, she is crying in her physical condition. He doesn’t seem ashamed of what he did, we think. Moreover, the incident did not take place in a private residence, it is the Chief Minister’s residence.”
The court also observed that the assertion of the Bhbahv Kumar that it is a concocted FIR against him is belied by the fact that Swati Maliwal called on emergency help line 112 from the Chief Minister’s residence to report the incident.
The court also said, “We normally grant bail. But look at the way the alleged incident took place. We don’t want to read in open court.”
Earlier, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Bibhav Kumar, impressed on the court that the FIR against Kumar was lodged three days after the incident and the court was taking the FIR as the gospel truth. “The court is taking the FIR as gospel truth. A friendly LG of Delhi and police don’t register my complaint but only hers,” submitted Singhivi.
The court has now issued notice to Delhi police and listed the matter for hearing on August 7.
Delhi Police arrested Bibhav Kumar on May 18
Bibhav Kumar is accused of of assaulting Swati Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister’s official residence on May 13 when she had gone there to meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi Police had arrested Kumar on May 18 in the alleged assault case after an FIR was registered against him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Delhi High Court denied bail to Bibbav Kumar
Kumar recently moved the Supreme Court seeking bail in the assault case. He moved the top court against the Delhi High Court refusing to grant him bail in the case.
The Delhi High Court dismissed Kumar’s bail plea earlier on July 12.
High court dismissed Kumar’s bail, saying he wields considerable power and can influence witnesses if he is released on bail in the case and no grounds are made out for releasing him on bail at this stage keeping in view the nature of accusations against him and apprehension of the witnesses being influenced.
