Maliwal Assault Case: Delhi Police Urge SC to Reject Accused Bibhav Kumar's Bail Plea

New Delhi: Delhi Police, on Thursday, termed alleged physical assault of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence as "brutal" and urged Supreme Court to dismiss bail plea of accused Bibhav Kumar in case.

Delhi Police, in its reply to bail plea of Kumar, an aide of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also told top court to hear Maliwal too in case.

Kumar, who is currently in judicial custody, is accused of assaulting Maliwal on May 13 at Kejriwal's official residence and has challenged July 12 order of Delhi High Court denying him bail.

" present case is a case pertaining to a brutal assault on a sitting Member of Parliament by influential ex-officer pertaining to Chief Minister's residence wherein occurrence of incidence is also at residence of Chief Minister of Delhi...and such an incident has h a grave impact on minds of general public and any judication in said case will have cascing effect on minds of general public," said an affidavit filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Maj Kumar Meena.

affidavit said that accused is an "influential person" in comparison to victim and " present case requires complainant to be heard as any liberty granted to accused petitioner herein directly affects her safety and wellbeing and also of her family members".

It said victim corroborated her complaint in her statement recorded before a judicial magistrate as well.

"It is important to te that victim was deeply traumatized by harassment and assault she experienced. Furrmore, victim is an esteemed sitting Member of Parliament from a ruling party in Delhi, and she was brutally assaulted at a highly sensitive location, Hon'ble Chief Minister's residence.

"This severe incident significantly impacted her mental state, causing her to remain confined to her home for four days following assault," affidavit said.

A bench heed by Justice Surya Kant is hearing case. On August 1, bench h me some strong observations about alleged offence and accused.

An FIR was registered against Kumar on May 16 under various provisions of Indian Penal Code, including those related to criminal intimidation, assault or using criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. He was arrested on May 18.

While denying him bail, high court h said that accused enjoys "considerable influence" and ground was me out to grant him relief. It cant be ruled out that witnesses may be influenced or evidence tampered with in case petitioner is released on bail, high court h said.

(with PTI inputs)