Bibhav Kumar, a close aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the case involving the alleged assault of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. The decision came after Kumar spent 100 days in judicial custody.
The bail hearing, presided over by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, centered on Kumar’s plea for bail and a challenge to his arrest. During the proceedings, Justice Bhuyan remarked on the nature of the injuries reported, which were classified as simple. “It’s a case for bail. You should not oppose. You can’t keep a person in jail in such a case,” Justice Bhuyan stated, addressing the prosecution.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Delhi Police, expressed concerns about potential witness tampering. “There are certain important witnesses, who are under his (Bibhav) influence. Let them be examined. I won’t oppose then,” Raju argued. However, Justice Bhuyan dismissed the concerns as “far-fetched,” emphasizing that such apprehensions could not justify continued detention without bail.*
Swati Maliwal had accused Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her on May 13 at the Chief Minister’s residence. The incident reportedly left Maliwal with bruises on her face and leg, as confirmed by a medical report from AIIMS. Following the accusations, Kumar was arrested on May 18 and faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assault and criminal intimidation.
