“Swati Maliwal Face Of BJP Conspiracy Against Arvind Kejriwal”: AAP On Assault Accusations
Following an FIR of physical assault in Arvind Kejriwal’s office by the Delhi chief minister’s PA filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, the party refuted all allegations and accused Maliwal of collaborating with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an attempt to target Kejriwal. The Delhi chief minister is currently out on an interim bail after he was arrested to Delhi liquor scam allegations.
In a press conference held today in New Delhi, AAP leader Atishi stated that the former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief had arrived at Kejriwal’s residence without an appointment on May 13 to frame the Delhi CM.
Atishi said that because Kejriwal was not available at the time, he was saved. Referring to the 52-second video that has surfaced online where Maliwal can be heard arguing with security officials, Atishi dismissed the allegations raised by Maliwal. The party noted that the video showed “an entirely different reality,” where Maliwal can be seen “comfortably sitting in the drawing room” and “threatening the security staff in a loud voice,” and her “clothes were not torn off.” Atishi also added that nowhere in the video did Maliwal even mention that she had been physically assaulted.
The AAP leader claimed that the video is proof as it disapproves all the allegations raised by Maliwal in her FIR.
Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar, the accused in the case, has reported a complaint against Maliwal with the Delhi Police. Explaining the series of events that took place on May 13, Atishi said that Maliwal claimed that she had an appointment with the CM but on cross-checking the security didn’t find one. When the security personnel stopped Maliwal from entering the premises, Atishi alleged that Maliwal threatened to get them fired for stopping a Rajya Sabha MP and then barged inside the campus.
She was then taken to the waiting room where the staff reminded her that she did not have an appointment, despite which she entered the residence, the AAP leader alleged. When the staff contacted Kumar, who arrived to probe the matter, Maliwal allegedly started arguing with him. Kumar then called the security staff to escort Maliwal out, the party alleged.
Earlier, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh condemned the incident and claimed that Kumar had “misbehaved” with her on Tuesday. Addressing Singh’s remarks, Atishi said that Singh met Maliwal and only had her version of the story but “now the video has brought out the truth.”
स्वाति मालीवाल के मुद्दे पर AAP वरिष्ठ नेता और मंत्री @AtishiAAP की Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/Oj9CpW7O1Z
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 17, 2024
Responding to the allegations by AAP, Maliwal tweeted, “The leaders who joined the party yesterday declared a 20-year-old worker as a BJP agent. Two days ago, the party had accepted the truth in the PC and today it has taken a U-turn.”
She further said, “This goon is threatening the party, if I get arrested, I will reveal all the secrets. That is why he is roaming around in Lucknow and everywhere seeking shelter. Today, under his pressure, the party gave in and to save a goon, my character was questioned by the entire party.”
Maliwal stated that she has been fighting alone for the women of the country and so she will fight for herself too. “Do character assassination as much as possible, the truth will come out when the time comes!” she posted on X.
पार्टी में कल के आए नेताओं से 20 साल पुरानी कार्यकर्ता को BJP का एजेंट बता दिया। दो दिन पहले पार्टी ने PC में सब सच क़बूल लिया था और आज U-Turn
ये गुंडा पार्टी को धमका रहा है, मैं अरेस्ट हुआ तो सारे राज़ खोलूँगा। इसलिए ही लखनऊ से लेकर हर जगह शरण में घूम रहा है।
आज उसके दबाव में…
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 17, 2024
The Delhi Police took Maliwal to Kejriwal’s residence to recreate the crime scene to investigate the alleged assault. She also recorded her statement on the assault at Tis Hazari Court in Delhi around noon today. A medical examination revealed that Maliwal suffered from internal injuries to her face.
As per Maliwal’s FIR, Kumar had slapped her “7 to 8 times,” and kicked her in the chest, stomach and pelvis areas in an “unprovoked attack.” Three days after the incident, Maliwal filed a written complaint against Kumar who has been booked under IPC sections to assault, criminal intimidation, and outraging a woman’s modesty.
