‘Has a right’: Court clears ex-Kejriwal aide Bibhav Kumar’s Sri Lanka family vacation; sets strict conditions

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has allowed Bibhav Kumar, former aide to ex-chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, to travel to Sri Lanka for a family vacation between August 13 and 22, PTI reported. Kumar, who is accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, had sought permission citing personal commitments. The court accepted his plea, observing that there was no material suggesting he posed a flight risk.Additional Sessions Judge Bhupinder Singh noted that Kumar “has not only the right but also duty towards his family for taking them for a family vacation.” In an order dated July 7, the court added, “No such conduct of the accused has been brought to the notice of the court, since he was released on bail, that may dissuade this court to consider the prayer made by the accused to travel abroad.”The judge further said that Kumar had earlier received a no-objection certificate to renew his passport, which had not been challenged by the prosecution. The additional deputy commissioner of police, North district, had argued that there was no emergency warranting foreign travel, but the court dismissed that concern.“I find no reasons as to why the application should not be allowed, more so, when the next date of hearing is much later than the intended dates of travel,” the judge said, while imposing conditions such as a fixed deposit of ?5 lakh and a requirement that Kumar inform the court of his return within 72 hours. No extension of his stay would be allowed.Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at Kejriwal’s then official residence on May 13, 2024. He was arrested five days later and granted bail by the Supreme Court in September. The FIR includes charges of criminal intimidation, assault with intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.(With PTI inputs)