Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged assault of AAP MP Swati Maliwal at the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the party has announced a press conference to “bring out the reality” of the situation. AAP minister Atishi posted on X, “Will be doing a press conference today at 6 pm to bring out the reality of the Swati Maliwal issue.”
In the meantime, the Delhi Police’s forensic unit arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence to collect evidence related to the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal. Earlier in the day, AAP criticized Maliwal over a purported video from the CM’s residence, supposedly filmed on the day of the alleged incident. The party shared the video, which was posted by a news channel, with the caption “Swati Maliwal ka sach (Swati Maliwal’s truth).” The video allegedly shows Maliwal arguing with security personnel at the CM’s residence.
This marks the first instance of AAP opposing Maliwal’s account, contradicting AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s earlier statement that Arvind Kejriwal had acknowledged the incident and called for “strict action,” emphasizing that the party supports Swati Maliwal.
In response to the same video, Swati Maliwal criticized an anonymous individual, calling him a “political hitman” and accusing him of trying to protect himself. She stated that the ‘truth’ will be revealed once the CCTV footage of the house and the room is examined. Maliwal wrote on X, “Like every time, this time also this political hitman has started efforts to save himself. By getting his people to tweet and play videos without any context, he thinks he can save himself by committing this crime.” She added, “Who makes a video of someone being beaten up? The truth will be revealed to everyone as soon as the CCTV footage of the house and the room is checked. Fall to whatever level you can, God is watching everything. One day everyone’s truth will come out in front of the world.”
The Delhi Police filed an FIR in the case based on Swati Maliwal’s complaint, which revealed shocking details. According to the FIR, Maliwal alleged that Kejriwal’s personal secretary, Bibhav Kumar, “slapped” her “at least seven to eight times” while she “continued screaming” and “brutally dragged” her while “kicking” her in her “chest, stomach and pelvis area.”
Maliwal recounted the events of May 13 when she visited the Civil Lines residence of Chief Minister Kejriwal. According to the FIR, she stated, “I went inside the camp office and called CM’s PS Bibhav Kumar but I could not go in. I then sent a message to his mobile number (through WhatsApp). However, there was no response. I then went inside the residential area through the main door, as I have always done in the past year. Since Bibhav Kumar was not present, I entered the residence area and informed the staff present there to tell the CM here to meet him.”
Maliwal continued in her complaint, “I was informed that he was present in the house and I was told to wait in the drawing room. I went into the drawing room and sat on the sofa and waited for him to meet me.” She described the assault, stating, “He then abused me and asked, who are you to not listen to what I say. While saying these words, he came and stood right in front of me. Without any provocation whatsoever on my side, he started slapping me with full force. He slapped me seven to eight times, at least while I continued screaming. I felt absolutely shocked and was screaming for help over and over again. In order to protect myself, I pushed him away with my legs.”
Maliwal added, “I repeatedly told him that he should please let go of me as I was in unbearable pain. However, he attacked me with full force again and again. I somehow managed to get free. I then sat on the sofa of the drawing room and gathered my spectacles that had fallen on the ground during the assault. I was in a terrible state of shock at this attack. I was deeply traumatised and called the 112 number and reported the crime against me.”
The FIR was filed under IPC Sections 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 354B (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).