Bail plea of CM’s aide rejected, court says allegations against him are grave

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the second bail plea moved by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar in the case of alleged assault on Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. It stated that there were grave and serious allegations against him.Observing that Maliwal is a lady and sitting MP from Aam Aadmi Party and had gone to meet Kejriwal of her own political party at his residence, the court of special judge Ekta Gauba Mann said that the injuries suffered by Maliwal were apparent as per the medical report and the allegations levelled against Kumar were grave and serious in nature.“Considering her allegations that she has been assaulted and brutally beaten up and her modesty has been outraged by Kumar in the drawing room of the residence of the CM. Considering the fact that Kumar being the personal secretary to the CM and alleged to have misbehaved not only with the MP of the same party but also with a lady,” said the court.Kumar’s first regular bail plea was rejected by the trial court on May 27.Stating that the investigation in the case is at initial stage and that there is fear in the mind of the victim regarding her safety and security as she is receiving continuous threats, the court stated that there was every apprehension that Kumar would influence witnesses, if at liberty.“Also, considering the fact that Kumar is alleged to have misbehaved with a lady member of the political party at the official residence of the CM where not only the elected members of their political party could meet the CM but even the general public could go and meet the CM regarding their grievances. This creates fear and panic in the mind of general public to meet their leader,” the court said.Kumar’s counsel submitted before the court that 21 days had elapsed since Kumar’s arrest and his custodial interrogation was not required. The counsel also added that Kumar was not an influential person as he was merely a personal secretary in the ranks of a clerk and his appointment was on a co-terminus basis.Additional public prosecutor Atul Srivastava submitted before the court that Kumar was a very influential person and investigation had revealed that no register was maintained for meeting Kejriwal, people, including the MLAs, could meet the chief minister only after seeking an appointment from Kumar.“So, I do not find any merit in the present bail application,” the court concluded.Maliwal narrated the incident before the court and claimed that after she lodged the complaint, she was “ostracised by the entire Aam Aadmi Party and some leaders were shaming or assassinating her character”.