The Delhi Police are delving into a potential conspiracy behind the assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal, as revealed in a recent chargesheet. The document includes shocking allegations that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was present with his close aide, Bibhav Kumar, immediately following the assault on Maliwal at the Chief Minister’s residence.
According to the chargesheet, the presence of Kejriwal and Kumar in the aftermath of the alleged assault raises questions about a possible cover-up. The police are investigating whether the proximity of the Chief Minister to Kumar, combined with subsequent actions by AAP leaders, indicates a coordinated effort to obscure the truth of the incident.
The chargesheet outlines a grim account of the assault, describing how Maliwal was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse by Kumar. Eyewitnesses have recounted that Maliwal was slapped multiple times, dragged across the room, and kicked repeatedly. An auto driver who witnessed the aftermath noted that Maliwal appeared visibly distressed and was crying as she recounted her ordeal.
Further complicating the case, the police noted a significant shift in statements from AAP leaders following the incident. On May 14, the day after the assault, Sanjay Singh publicly condemned Bibhav Kumar’s actions and pledged strict action against him. However, three days later, Atishi dismissed Maliwal’s allegations during a press conference, leading to suspicions of a possible cover-up. The abrupt change in stance within 72 hours prompted the police to investigate whether there was any coordination or conspiracy behind these contradictory statements.
In her supplementary statement, Swati Maliwal expressed her belief in a larger conspiracy. She highlighted the support extended to Kumar by AAP leaders and workers as indicative of an orchestrated effort to undermine her credibility and dismiss her ordeal. Maliwal has urged the police to thoroughly explore this angle, suggesting that the party’s backing of Kumar might point to a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth.
The case has attracted significant attention in the judicial arena. The Delhi High Court recently rejected Bibhav Kumar’s plea challenging his arrest, and the Supreme Court has expressed profound shock and dismay over the incident.
During a hearing on Kumar’s bail plea, a three-judge bench criticised Kumar’s actions and questioned the safety and security protocols at the Chief Minister’s residence. The court described the assault as appalling and questioned how such an incident could occur at the official residence of the Chief Minister.
The Supreme Court also scrutinised Kumar’s right to be present at the residence, emphasising that if Maliwal had no right to be there, Kumar, as a former secretary, should not have had the right to remain either. The court underscored the severity of Kumar’s actions and inadequate response to Maliwal’s pleas for help.
The case, which led to Kumar’s arrest on May 18, continues to unfold. He faces charges including criminal intimidation, assault, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. As the Delhi Police investigate further into the potential conspiracy and the involvement of AAP leaders, the situation remains fluid and under intense scrutiny.
