The ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), took a new turn as Maliwal accused officials of tampering with CCTV footage at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence.
In a post on the microblogging platform X on Friday evening, Maliwal claimed she had received information regarding the tampering of the surveillance cameras installed at the CM’s house. She tagged the Delhi Police in her post, urging them to look into the matter.
"I have received information that now these people are tampering with the CCTV of the house," she maintained on her X post.
Earlier on Friday evening, a Delhi Police team, led by Additional DCP Delhi North, along with officials from the Civil Lines Police Station and forensic experts, visited the Chief Minister's residence.
The visit aimed to recreate the scene of the alleged assault on Maliwal. She was also present during the investigation. The police team concluded their investigation and videography of the premises around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday.
The visit to Kejriwal’s residence followed a complaint filed by Bibhav Kumar, a close aide to the Chief Minister.
Kumar accused Maliwal of unauthorised entry, verbal abuse, and threats, suggesting a possible involvement of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the incident.
Kumar, whose service as Kejriwal’s personal assistant was recently terminated by the Vigilance Department due to a pending criminal case, urged the authorities to take appropriate legal action against Maliwal and to investigate her potential links with BJP leaders.
This allegation comes amid the heightened political tensions of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Swati Maliwal’s accusations against Bibhav Kumar include claims that he "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."
The incident reportedly took place on May 13 at Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence.
Following her complaint, the Delhi Police filed an FIR on Thursday, charging Kumar under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 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).
Amid the escalating row, AAP has seemingly shifted its stance. This marks the first time that AAP has taken a stand against Maliwal in the case, contradicting AAP MP Sanjay Singh's statement that Arvind Kejriwal has taken cognisance of the incident and has directed "strict action," adding that the party is "with Swati Maliwal."
However, in a recent development, AAP leader Atishi suggested that Maliwal's visit to the CM's residence was 'part of a conspiracy'.
In response, Maliwal accused the party of character assassination and protecting a "Gunda" (hitman).
She criticised the party for taking a "U-turn" and questioned the integrity of its newer members, referring to Atishi as "kal ke aaye neta" (leaders who joined the party yesterday).
AAP further attacked Maliwal by releasing a purported video clip from the CM’s residence on the day of the alleged assault.
The clip, shared by a news channel, showed Maliwal in a heated argument with security personnel at Kejriwal’s residence. The party posted the video with the caption "Swati Maliwal ka sach" (Swati Maliwal’s truth), indicating their disbelief in her allegations.
Follow us
