Arvind Kejriwal's Former Aide Gets Bail In Swati Maliwal Assault Case, Supreme Court Sets Certain Conditions

The Supreme Court on Monday (2 September) granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's former personal secretary Bibhav Kumar in the assault case of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that since the trial is expected to take time, there is no need to keep Kumar under custody, who has been in jail for over three months.

Kumar was arrested in May over Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Maliwal's allegations that he brutally assaulted her on 13 May at the Delhi CM's official residence, when Kejriwal was out on bail. 

The charge sheet has been filed in the case and hence, the court noted that his release will not affect the investigation. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court denied bail to Kumar.

In the Supreme Court hearing, Kumar's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that Maliwal's injuries were minor in nature. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju argued that Kumar can tamper evidence.

Addressing these concerns, the bench imposed certain bail conditions on Kumar including he will not be allowed to enter the Delhi CM's residence until the examination of private vulnerable witnesses.

Kumar cannot be restored to the position Kejriwal's personal secretary or any other official position and will not make any public comments about the case, as per the bail conditions.

Charges against him are related to criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe and attempt to commit culpable homicide.