New Delhi: Controversy surrounding Swati Maliwals allegations against Arvind Kejriwals aide, Bibhav Kumar, escalated on Friday. Delhi Police escorted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP to the residence of the Delhi Chief Minister in Civil Lines to recreate the crime scene where the alleged assault took place.Forensic team investigationEarlier, a Delhi Police team, along with five forensic scientists, visited the Chief Ministers residence. Led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Anjitha Chepyala, the forensic team collected evidence, including CCTV footage from the living room where Maliwal claims she was slapped seven times and kicked in the chest. The police also recorded witness statements and interviewed security staff who were present during the incident.#WATCH | AAP MP Swati Maliwal arrives at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals residence as police is expected to recreate what happened with her here on 13th May pic.twitter.com/bM7w8kygO3— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2024Legal action against Bibhav KumarFollowing Maliwals statement, which she recorded hours earlier, a police case was filed against Bibhav Kumar. He faces charges of assault and criminal intimidation. The National Commission for Women also issued a notice for Kumar to appear, which he failed to do, prompting a second summons.Maliwals public statementIn her first public comment on the incident, Maliwal expressed her distress on X, stating, The last few days have been very difficult... She called for action against those who allegedly attacked her and criticized those suggesting her claims were politically motivated by the BJP. Maliwals statement was seen as a direct reference to the BJPs criticism of Kejriwal and the AAP, accusing them of being anti-women.Leaked video from Kejriwals homeA 52-second video from Kejriwals residence has surfaced, showing Maliwal arguing with security staff. In the footage, security personnel are heard asking her to leave, while she refuses and states that she has called the police, daring the guards to eject her.Swati Maliwal and Bibhav Kumars video of alleged conflict taking place inside Arvind Kejriwals house. She can be heard saying, Ganja Saala...#SwatiMaliwal #arvindkejiwal #BibhavKumar pic.twitter.com/QUixvuEuh6— Mayank Kasyap (@kasyap_mayank) May 17, 2024Political reactions and accusationsMaliwal responded to the leaked video, referring to a political hitman, a comment interpreted as targeting Kejriwal. She accused this person of directing others to share the video to manipulate the narrative. The AAP countered by sharing the video with the caption, The truth of Swati Maliwal.BJPs criticism and AAPs defenseThe BJP has seized the opportunity to attack the AAP ahead of the Delhi Lok Sabha election. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized Kejriwal for his association with Kumar, calling him shameless.Liquor policy row and AAPs legal troublesCompounding the AAPs troubles, the Enforcement Directorate has named the party as an accused in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. This unprecedented move could lead to the partys de-recognition during a critical election period. Kejriwal and the AAP have denied all charges, claiming they are victims of a political vendetta orchestrated by the BJP.Supreme Courts interim bail for KejriwalLast week, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail in the liquor policy case, allowing him to campaign during the election. The court reasoned that as a sitting Chief Minister and leader of a national party, Kejriwal was neither a flight risk nor a habitual offender. His bail is valid until June 1, after which he must return to jail.
