New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (September 2) granted bail to Bibhav Kumar, an aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the alleged assault case on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Swati Maliwal.
Investigation is complete and charge sheet in the case has been filed, Apex Court noted
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, while granting bail to Bibhav Kumar, noted that investigation is complete and charge sheet in the case has been filed. It further noted that more than 51 witnesses have been proposed by the prosecution and conclusion of trial will take time, adding that he is in custody for over 100 days.
“We are not inclined to hear on the point as to where prima facie offense is made out. It’s exclusive domain of trial court,” the bench said while granting Bibhav Kumar bail subject to conditions imposed by the trial court. The condition includes that Bibhav Kumar will not be reinstated as a personal assistant to Kejriwal and will not be given any official assignment in the office of the chief minister and he will not enter the chief minister’s residence
till all witnesses in the case are examined.
Delhi Police arrested Bibhav Kumar on May 18
The Delhi Police arrested Bibhav Kumar on May 18 in the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal at Chief Minister Kejriwal’s official residence on May 13 when she had gone there to meet him.
Bibhav Kumar moved Supreme Court against Delhi High Court order
Bibhav Kumar moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Delhi High Court refusing to grant him bail in the case, saying that he wields considerable power and no grounds are made out to grant him bail in the case at this stage keeping in view the nature of allegations against him and apprehension of the witnesses being influenced.
Earlier, two bail pleas of Bibhav Kumar was dismissed by two sessions courts in the national capital.
Delhi Police recently filed a chargesheet against Bibhav Kumar
The Delhi Police recently filed a charge sheet against Bibhav Kumar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for alleged assault on Kumar.