Who Is Bibhav Kumar, Delhi CM's Aide Arrested In Swati Maliwal Assault Case?

Bibhav Kumar, one of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's oldest aides, was arrested for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal. The AAP has, however, alleged a BJP conspiracy behind the arrest.

File photo of Bibhav Kumar

Source : PTI

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested on Saturday on the charge of assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal. The Swati Maliwal assault case came to the fore on Monday after the AAP MP made a PCR call to the Delhi Police. However, the AAP has said that it was a BJP conspiracy to entrap Arvind Kejriwal. 

This is not the first time that Bibhav Kumar has found himself at the centre of a controversy. Bibhav was sacked as Arvind Kejriwal's official private secretary in April for his alleged involvement in the excise policy case. He was among those who were questioned by the ED in the case.

In the Swati Maliwal assault case, the AAP has fully thrown its weight behind Bibhav Kumar, even engaging the head of its legal cell Sanjeev Nasiar to defend him.

BREAKING | केजरीवाल के सहयोगी बिभव कुमार को पुलिस ने किया गिरफ्तार

- आज ही बिभव कुमार की कोर्ट में होगी पेशी@viveksemiliye @i_manojverma @deepakrawat45https://t.co/smwhXURgtc#AAP #SwatiMaliwal #Delhi #DelhiPolice #VibhavKumar pic.twitter.com/gei44SuJYR

— ABP News (@ABPNews) May 18, 2024

So, who is Bibhav Kumar, who was purportedly photographed moving around with Arvind Kejriwal even after the Swati Maliwal assault case came to the fore?

Who Is Bibhav Kumar?

Bibhav Kumar is among the oldest aides of Arvind Kejriwal. He was associated with Kejriwal even before the inception of the AAP. He is a key AAP figure and is often called the "bridge" to the Delhi CM. According to The Indian Express, he handles everything — from Kejriwal's insulin doses to his official affairs and phones. He is known to be Kejriwal's eyes and ears within the party.

Initially Bibhav Kumar was employed at Kabir, an NGO run by Kejriwal's close associate and his former deputy Manish Sisodia. Bibhav Kumar quickly rose through the party ranks to become Kejriwal's personal secretary. Bibhav was soon chosen to look into the larger affairs of the party, including its expansion.

During the India Against Corruption movement, Kumar coordinated the works of Kabir and Kejriwal's NGO Public Cause Research Foundation, the IE report stated. Swati Maliwal worked at PCRF. The two reportedly implemented several joint projects in the civil welfare sector.