FIR, viral video and 'Swati Maliwal ka sach': The 'assault' saga at Delhi CM's residence

What happened at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on May 13? Was Aam Aadmi Party's first and only woman MP Swati Maliwal assaulted by party chief's aide Bibhav Kumar? Police action in the Swati Maliwal assault case and the consequent political interest have led to quick developments in the case in the last two days. A viral video showing Maliwal arguing with the staff of Kejriwal and the party backing Kejriwal's aide has now added a fresh twist to the assault saga.

A day after an FIR was filed against AAP chief's aide Bibhav Kumar based on Swati Maliwal's statement, a four-member Delhi Police team reached Kejriwal's residence on Friday. A forensic team also reached Delhi CM's house to collect evidence including CCTV footage. The AAP MP was also taken to the CM residence to recreate the incident. Maliwal also recorded her statement before the Tis Hazari court in Delhi.

In the police statement, Maliwal has alleged that Kejriwal's PS 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". "I was in extreme pain and kept telling him to stop. My shirt was coming up but he still continued to assault me," the AAP MP said. "Bibhav threatened me and said "Do what you want, you can't do anything. We will break all your bones and bury you in a place that no one will get to know." Then when he realized that I had called the 112 number he went out of the room," she told the police.

After days of silence, AAP made its stand clear by backing Kejriwal's aide Kumar in the assault case. The party shared a purported video clip from Kejriwal's residence from the day of the alleged assault in which Maliwal was seen arguing with the staff. In the video which starts in the middle of the argument, Maliwal refuses to leave, tells the security guard she has called the police and dares them to touch her. Sharing the video on X, AAP wrote: "The truth of Swati Maliwal". The AAP MP also hit back saying the "hitman" has directed "his people" to share the video to "save himself".

AAP leader Atishi refuted the assault charge of Swati Maliwal and accused her of being the "face of BJP conspiracy". Taking through the sequence of events, Aatishi informed that Bibhav Kumar has also filed a police complaint against Maliwal. Talking about the video, Atishi said, "Incident proves it was a BJP conspiracy, Maliwal was made its face to frame CM Kejriwal."

The Maliwal assault case has given ammunition to BJP which is leaving no opportunity to corner Kejriwal and his party amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Leading the attack, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it's "unbelievable, unacceptable that Arvind Kejriwal has not spoken a word". Meanwhile, Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha members staged a protest near Kejriwal's residence on Friday. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also attacked Kejriwal's party and said, "people will never forgive AAP and its leaders".

Bibhav Kumar did not appear before the National Commission for Women on Friday in the Swati Maliwal assault case. The NCW had summoned Kumar to appear before it at 11 am. Meanwhile, officers of the NCW, along with the ACP of Civil Lines, attempted for the second time to serve notice of hearing to Bibhav Kumar at his residence. When the occupants of the house refused to accept the notice, the officers affixed it on the gate of his residence. The hearing is scheduled for May 18 at the NCW office.