Categories: Legally Speaking

Swati Maliwal Case: Delhi Police Files Chargesheet against Bibhav Kumar

The Delhi Police has filed a 500-page charge sheet against Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with an alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal.

The charge sheet was submitted to Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who extended Kumar’s judicial custody until July 30.

Kumar stands accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal on May 13 at the chief minister’s official residence.

The prosecution informed the court that the charge sheet includes around 500 pages and statements from approximately 50 witnesses.

The final report charges Kumar under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe her), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insulting a woman’s modesty).

The charge sheet also includes evidence such as the digital video recorder and network video recorder from Kejriwal’s official residence, as well as Kumar’s mobile phone and SIM card, according to court sources.

After the FIR was registered on May 16 at the Civil Lines police station, Kumar was arrested on May 18. He was initially sent to police custody for five days by a magisterial court, which deemed his anticipatory bail plea infructuous due to his arrest. On May 24, Kumar was placed in four days of judicial custody, followed by an additional three days in police custody.

A team led by a woman additional DCP-level officer is investigating the case. Last Friday, the Delhi High Court denied Kumar bail, citing his “considerable influence” and the risk of witness tampering or evidence destruction if he were released.

The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on July 30 for taking cognizance of the final report.