NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday asked a response from the Delhi Police regarding a bail plea filed by Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is implicated in an alleged assault case involving AAP MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar’s earlier bail requests were dismissed by the trial court.
Justice Amit Sharma scheduled a detailed hearing for July 1 to further examine the case.Kumar, in his plea, argued that the criminal justice system is being misused against him. He claimed that while both he and the complainant have lodged complaints against each other, only the complainant’s case is being pursued. Kumar suggested this is due to the complainant’s influence as a Rajya Sabha member, and pointed to a breach report filed by officials at the chief minister’s camp office as evidence of bias.
The Tis Hazari Court recently denied Kumar’s second bail plea, citing threats made to Maliwal and concerns that he might intimidate witnesses. Special Judge Ekta Gauba Mann noted that the investigation is in its early stages and that Maliwal has expressed fears for her safety and that of her family if Kumar were to be released.
The court emphasized that the seriousness of the threats against Maliwal, along with the possibility that Kumar could influence witnesses, justified the denial of bail. Consequently, Judge Mann dismissed Kumar’s bail application on June 7.
Maliwal previously alleged continuous threats to her family and extended family, expressing concerns about her own safety and that of her loved ones if Kumar were to be granted bail. She firmly opposed Kumar’s bail application.
Bibhav Kumar was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal. He was taken into custody from the chief minister’s residence by a Delhi Police team, following Maliwal’s statement to a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court.