Swati Maliwal Assault Case: Delhi Court Rejects Second Bail Plea Of Accused Bibhav Kumar

A Delhi Court on Friday dismissed the second bail plea moved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bhibhav Kumar the alleged Swati Maliwal assault case.

Special judge Ekta Gauba Mann of Tis Hazari Courts observed that the investigation in the case is at initial stage and that there is fear in the mind of the victim regarding her safety and security as she is receiving continuous threats.

The court also said that there was every apprehension that Kumar would influence witnesses, if at liberty.

Kumar's first regular bail plea was rejected by the trial court on May 27.

Dismissing his second bail plea, the court considered the fact that Maliwal is a lady and sitting Member of Parliament from Aam Aadmi Party and had gone to meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of her own political party at his residence.

“Considering her allegations that she has been assaulted and brutally beaten up and her modesty has been outraged by applicant/accused Bibhav Kumar in the drawing room of the residence of the Hon'ble CM. Considering the fact that applicant/accused Bibhav Kumar being the Personal Secretary to the Hon'ble CM and alleged to have misbehaved not only with the Member of Parliament of the same Party but also with a lady,” the court noted further.

The judge also said that the injuries suffered by Maliwal were apparent as per the MLC and the allegations levelled against Kumar were grave and serious in nature.

“Also, considering the fact that applicant/accused Bibhav Kumar is alleged to have misbehaved with a lady member of the Political Party at the official residence of the Hon'ble CM where not only the elected members of their political party could meet the Hon'ble CM but even, the general public could go and meet the Hon'ble CM regarding their grievances. This creates fear and panic in the mind of general public to meet their leader,” the court said.

Recently, Kumar moved the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest in the case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has reserved order in his plea.

The FIR was registered on the written complaint of Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was arrested on May 18. The Delhi Police alleged that Kumar has always been non-co-operative during investigation and gave evasive answers to the questions.

It was also alleged that he deliberately did not disclose the password of his mobile phone, which is an important piece of information in the probe to unearth the truth.

Maliwal alleged that Kumar assaulted her when she went to meet Kejriwal at his residence on May 13.