Supreme Court grants bail to Delhi CM Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the case of alleged assault of MP Swati Maliwal.

In May, Maliwal had alleged that Kumar assaulted her at Kejriwal’s official residence. The Delhi Police filed a case in the matter and arrested Kumar.

The case became a political firestorm in the midst of general elections as Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said Maliwal was acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused Maliwal and police of being in league with the BJP. On her part, Maliwal accused the AAP of “questioning her character”.

In the order on Monday, the Supreme Court also set out the conditions for Kumar’s bail. The Bar & Bench listed the following conditions:

1. Kumar shall not be restored as private secretary of Kejriwal or reinstated to the political office associated with the CM Office.

2. Kumar shall not enter the CM’s residence until all the witnesses have been examined

3. The AAP shall not comment on the matter till the trial court disposes it.

The SC further ordered the trial court hearing the case to finish the examination of the vulnerable witnesses within three months, according to Bar & Bench.

As per the FIR, Maliwal has alleged that Kumar screamed at her “without any provocation” and slapped her seven-eight times and kicked her in her chest, stomach, and pelvis, as per the Hindustan Times.

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The further states the allegation that Kumar dragged Maliwal and her shirt was pulled up as well as she screamed for help, according to the newspaper.