Amid a growing controversy, Swati Maliwal has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of tampering with CCTV footage at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. This follows the release of a video clip allegedly recorded on the day of the purported assault.
New Delhi: In a new development in the Swati Maliwal assault case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP has claimed that the CCTV cameras at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence are being tampered with. Swati Maliwal, the former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), took to the microblogging site X on Friday evening, stating, “I have received information that now these people are tampering with the CCTV of the house.” She also tagged the Delhi Police in her post.
On Friday evening, a team from the Delhi Police, led by Additional DCP Delhi North, Civil Lines Police Station SHO, and forensic officials, arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence to recreate the scene. Swati Maliwal was present as part of the investigation into her alleged assault. The team left around 2:15 am on Saturday after investigating and recording the premises.
This incident comes after Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Mr Kejriwal, filed a complaint against Swati Maliwal. He accused her of unauthorized entry, verbal abuse, and threats, and suggested possible involvement of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kumar’s service as Kejriwal’s assistant had recently been terminated by the Vigilance Department over a pending criminal case.
In his complaint to the SHO of Civil Lines Police Station, Kumar urged legal action against Maliwal and an investigation into her possible ties with BJP leaders, hinting at political motives behind the incident amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Swati Maliwal had earlier accused Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at Kejriwal’s residence, claiming he slapped her multiple times and brutally dragged her. The Delhi Police filed an FIR on Thursday based on her complaint.
AAP responded by releasing a video clip from the CM’s residence, which purportedly shows Maliwal arguing with security personnel. The party shared the video with the caption “Swati Maliwal ka sach (Swati Maliwal’s truth).” This marked AAP’s first direct counter to Maliwal’s claims, despite previous statements from AAP MP Sanjay Singh that the party stood with Maliwal and called for strict action.
In response to AAP’s press conference where leader Atishi labelled Maliwal’s visit to Kejriwal’s residence a “conspiracy,” Maliwal accused the party of character assassination and protecting a “Gunda” (hitman). She criticized “kal ke aaye neta” (newcomers) in AAP and contrasted her long association with the party.
Delhi’s Tis Hazari court recorded Maliwal’s statement on Friday. The FIR against Bibhav Kumar includes charges under IPC Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354B (assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
