'Two versions...': Delhi CM Kejriwal breaks silence on Swati Maliwal case, calls for 'fair investigation'

In his first direct response to the alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed his desire for a fair investigation. The incident has sparked a significant political controversy, with Kejriwal emphasising that there are two sides to the story.

The Allegations

Swati Maliwal has accused Bibhav Kumar, Kejriwal's personal assistant, of assaulting her at the chief minister's residence on May 13. Maliwal claims that Kumar kicked her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area, and brutally dragged her, pulling her shirt up in the process. Kumar has been arrested and is currently in police custody until Thursday.

Kejriwal's Statement

In an interview with the news agency PTI, Kejriwal acknowledged the severity of the allegations but refrained from commenting extensively, citing the ongoing judicial proceedings. "The case is sub judice, and any comment from me could influence the legal process. However, I expect a fair investigation to be conducted. Both versions of the event must be examined thoroughly, and justice must be served," said Kejriwal.

Maliwal's Response

Responding strongly to Kejriwal's comments, Maliwal pointed out the irony in his call for a fair investigation. She accused him of previously undermining her credibility by labelling her a "BJP agent" and orchestrating a campaign to malign her character.

"After deploying an entire army of leaders and volunteers against me, calling me a BJP agent, assassinating my character, leaking edited videos, victim-shaming me, allowing the accused to re-enter the crime scene and tamper with evidence, and protesting in favour of the accused, the Chief Minister, in whose drawing room I was beaten up, now calls for a free and fair investigation," Maliwal stated on social media.

"Irony died a thousand deaths. I don't buy this one bit," she added.

Political Reactions

The incident has led to fierce attacks on AAP and Kejriwal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP President JP Nadda criticised Kejriwal's initial silence, describing it as indicative of his "double character and dual standards."

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also weighed in, expressing disappointment over Kejriwal's response. "I would have expected that, at least for the sake of propriety, my chief minister would have come clean, rather than being evasive and dodgy. His deafening silence speaks volumes of his stance on the safety of women," Saxena stated.

AAP's Defence

In response, the Aam Aadmi Party asserted that Saxena's comments reveal Maliwal's allegiance to the BJP. "With the elections approaching, the BJP is concocting new conspiracies daily, from the liquor scam to Swati Maliwal's case to foreign funding allegations. The BJP is struggling and is using the Maliwal issue to try and revive their political prospects," the party said.

Awaiting Justice

As the political storm continues, all eyes are on the investigation to ensure a fair and just resolution. The outcome will not only impact the individuals involved but could also have broader implications for the political landscape and public perception of governance in Delhi.