Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita sparked controversy when she shared a photo of Bibhav Kumar on her social media platform. Her post drew sharp criticism from Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who has accused Kumar of assaulting her.
On September 3, Bibhav Kumar, CM Arvind Kejriwal's close aide, was released from Tihar jail, a day after the Supreme Court granted him bail in relation to the assault case involving Maliwal. Kumar, who was in judicial custody in the case, was released after the top court noted that he has been in custody for more than 100 days.
Following his release, Sunita Kejriwal took to X and posted a picture of former communication incharge of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Vijay Nair and Kumar sitting together in a living room and wrote in Hindi, "A tranquil day." Nair, who was in Tihar Jail for 22 months due to his alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy case, was also released on September 3 on the orders of Supreme Court.
Kumar allegedly assaulted Maliwal on May 13 at Kejriwal's official residence. He was arrested by the Delhi Police on May 18.
"The Chief Minister's wife, who was at home when I was being beaten up, is feeling very 'relieved'," Maliwal wrote on X, reacting to the image shared by Sunita Kejriwal. "This is a clear message to everyone, beat up the women, after that we will first get dirty trolling done, completely ruin the victim and hire an army of the country's most expensive lawyers to save that man in the court," she added.
, , , , , pic.twitter.com/fQ9vNBpwz6
Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) September 4, 2024
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Kumar on May 16. The charges included multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. Kumar was accused of criminal intimidation, assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Maliwal had alleged that Kumar slapped her 7-8 times without any provocation, pounced on her, kicked her chest and pelvis, and deliberately pulled up her shirt at Kejriwal's residence when she had gone to meet the Delhi chief minister on May 13.
Kumar, meanwhile, had filed a counter complaint against the Rajya Sabha MP. In his complaint, which he emailed to the police, Kumar said that Maliwal "forcefully and illegally" trespassed into the CM's residence and created ruckus.
Moreover, a minute-long video purportedly of the chief minister’s residence showed Maliwal using expletives and arguing with the security staff. In the purported video, while the security staff is requesting the MP to leave the living room where she was sitting, Maliwal is heard saying, “Mai tumhari bhi naukri khaungi agar mujhe touch kara toh (I will get you terminated from your job if you touch me).”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
