Swati Maliwal ‘assault’ case: Delhi CM Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar moves Supreme Court for bail

New Delhi, July 25

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s close aide Bibhav Kumar has moved the Supreme Court seeking bail in the AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal “assault” case.

Kumar’s bail plea challenging the July 12 Delhi High Court order denying him bail is likely to come up for hearing soon.

The high court had said that the accused enjoyed “considerable influence” and no ground was made out to grant him the relief. It cannot be ruled out that witnesses may be influenced or evidence tampered with in case the petitioner is released on bail, the high court had said.

However, contending that the allegations against him were false, Kumar submitted that his custody was no longer required as the probe into the case was over.

He is currently in judicial custody following his arrest on May 18 for allegedly assaulting Maliwal on May 13 at Kejriwal’s official residence here.

Maliwal had lodged the FIR against Kumar on May 16 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those relating to criminal intimidation, assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Earlier, a Sessions Court had in May dismissed Kumar’s bail plea, saying there appeared no “pre-meditation” by Maliwal in lodging the FIR and that her allegations could not be “swiped away”.