Court Says Bibhav Kumar's Anticipatory Bail Rendered Infructuous, AAP Questions Timing Of Arrest

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, accused of assaulting MP Swati Maliwal, was arrested rendering his anticipatory bail plea infructuous. The AAP expressed concerns over 'political pressure' and 'false' allegations.

Delhi's Additional Sessions Judge Sushil Anuj Tyagi remarked on Saturday that the anticipatory bail plea of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal, had become infructuous as Kumar had been arrested. Kumar's arrest came two days after an FIR was lodged against him at the Civil Lines police station.

During the court proceedings, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Kumar Srivastava informed the court via videoconferencing that Kumar had been arrested around 4:15 pm, rendering the anticipatory bail plea moot, news agency PTI reported. The judge noted the prosecutor's submissions that Kumar's wife had been duly informed about his arrest and ordered that a copy of the order be sent to the investigating officer for information and necessary action.

Earlier in the day, the court had reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Kumar.

Kumar stands accused of assaulting Maliwal on May 13 at the residence of Arvind Kejriwal, who also serves as the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Responding to the arrest, lawyer and Delhi State President of AAP Legal Cell, Adv Sanjeev Nasair, expressed concerns over potential political pressure influencing the case. He told news agency ANI, "We had this apprehension that as soon as it feels that the court is convinced and it reserves the order, Delhi Police can play a game. Delhi Police is not doing this on its own, it is doing this under political pressure. BJP is rattled, it feels that it is going to lose the general elections. This was a part of that conspiracy..."

AAP Raises Questions On Bibhav Kumar's Arrest, Says 'BJP, Delhi Police Know This Case Is False'

AAP leader Atishi also criticised the arrest, alleging political motives behind it. She remarked, “Delhi Police arrested Bibhav Kumar after just 20 minutes since his hearing of anticipatory bail began (at the Tis Hazari Court). This shows that the BJP and its Delhi Police know that this case is false. Swati Maliwal’s videos which have come forward in the past two days make it clear that she was not attacked.”

Furthermore, Atishi accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt AAP's campaign efforts, stating, “This conspiracy is being carried out to harass AAP and to stop Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning. Tomorrow morning, Arvind Kejriwal will go to BJP’s headquarters, along with all the party leaders, so that the BJP can arrest whoever they want in one go,” she added.