kejriwal-s-aide-fails-to-appear-before-ncw-in-maliwal-assault-case

Swati Maliwal, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP, has brought forward allegations of assault against Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The incident has garnered significant attention, leading to legal and public scrutiny.

 

On Friday, Bibhav Kumar did not appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) despite being summoned. The NCW had scheduled the hearing for 11 am, but Kumar failed to show up.

 

According to Rekha Sharma, the NCW chief, an attempt to serve Kumar a notice at his residence was unsuccessful as he was not home, and his wife refused to accept the notice.

 

Sharma indicated that another attempt would be made to serve the notice, this time with police assistance. She expressed her intent to personally inquire if Kumar continues to evade the summons.

 

Rekha Sharma also addressed the trauma faced by Maliwal, noting that the incident occurred at the residence of her party leader, which may have compounded the distress.

 

Sharma emphasised that despite political differences, it is important to support Maliwal during this difficult time. She expressed her willingness to meet Maliwal once she feels ready.

 

Sharma criticised Arvind Kejriwal's silence on the issue, suggesting that his lack of response indicates support for Kumar rather than for the victim. She highlighted the contradiction between Kejriwal’s public image of advocating for women's rights and his inaction in this case. Sharma accused Kejriwal of prioritising his aide over a woman who has been assaulted, undermining his credibility on women's issues.

 

The incident in question occurred on Monday morning when Maliwal visited the Civil Lines police station to report the alleged assault.

 

She claimed that Kumar, who is part of Kejriwal's personal staff, had assaulted her at the chief minister’s official residence. The NCW took suo moto cognizance of the case following media reports detailing the alleged assault.

 

The Delhi Police registered an FIR on Thursday naming Bibhav Kumar as the accused. The FIR states that Kumar allegedly kicked and slapped Maliwal multiple times, ignoring her pleas for help. This information came to light as Maliwal recorded her statement before a magistrate on Friday.

 

Rekha Sharma reiterated the NCW's commitment to ensuring justice, stating that the commission would send an inquiry team to further investigate the matter. She condemned the alleged actions of Kumar and called for swift action to hold him accountable.

 

The case has sparked a broader debate about the treatment of women within political circles and the responsibilities of political leaders to address such issues transparently and promptly.

 

The ongoing investigation and the responses from both the NCW and the police will be crucial in determining the course of justice for Swati Maliwal.

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