Understanding The Swati Maliwal Assault Case: A Timeline Of Key Events

The alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal has sparked a political firestorm in the nation's capital. As the investigation unfolds, let's examine the sequence of events that have unfolded thus far.

Maliwal alleges that she was assaulted by Kejriwal's personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, at the chief minister's residence on May 13. She claimed that Kumar kicked her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area, and forcefully "dragged her and pulled her shirt up." Kumar has been arrested and remanded to the custody of the Delhi Police until Thursday.

Here are latest updates in the Swati Maliwal assault case you should know:

Swati Maliwal Assault Case: A Timeline of Key Events

• Responding to the chief minister's stance, Maliwal criticized the irony of Kejriwal, who previously denigrated her character and labeled her a "BJP agent," now advocating for an impartial investigation. 
• "After unleashing the entire army of leaders and volunteers at me, calling me a BJP agent, assassinating my character, leaking edited videos, victim shaming me, roaming around with the accused, letting him re enter the crime scene and tamper evidences and protesting in favour of the accused, the Chief Minister, in whose drawing room I was beaten up, has finally said that he wants free and fair investigation in the matter," the MP said in a post on X.

After unleashing the entire army of leaders and volunteers at me, calling me a BJP agent, assassinating my character, leaking edited videos, victim shaming me, roaming around with the accused, letting him re enter the crime scene and tamper evidences and protesting in favour of… https://t.co/ybNwRqGq1K

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 22, 2024

• In an interview with news agency PTI, the AAP chief stated that the alleged assault is "sub-judice," and commenting on it could impact the proceedings. "But I expect there will be a fair investigation. Justice should be served. There are two versions of the event. Police should investigate both versions fairly, and justice should prevail," he said.

I want fair investigation, justice in Swati Maliwal assault case as incident has two versions: Arvind Kejriwal to PTI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 22, 2024

• The five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Delhi Police, responsible for probing the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, is escorting Kumar to Mumbai. The purpose of this trip is to recover data from his formatted iPhone.
• A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed by the Delhi Police to probe the incident.
• The SIT is led by Anjitha Chepyala, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for North Delhi, with three Inspector-rank officers also involved.
• Statements from the Chief Minister's staff and security personnel, as well as questioning of individuals seen in mobile video footage, have been recorded by the SIT.
• Electronic devices were seized from Bibhav's residence, and the DVR from the CM House has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for investigation.
• Bibhav Kumar was taken to Kejriwal's residence to recreate the events of May 13, and police collected details and photographed the crime scene.
• Both the accused and the victim were taken to the crime scene, and their narratives are under analysis.
• The Delhi Police seized CCTV DVR footage from Kejriwal's residence and are investigating allegations of tampering.
• Bibhav Kumar has been sent to five-day police custody by a Delhi Court in connection with the assault case.
• Kumar's anticipatory bail plea was deemed "infructuous" by the court, and he was placed in custody after being produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal.
• Reports indicate that the Delhi Police will reconstruct the crime scene at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence with Swati Maliwal. This reconstruction aims to understand the entire incident, from entry to the drawing room, with Swati's assistance. The goal is to facilitate further investigation based on these insights.
• Senior Delhi Police officials, accompanied by a forensic team, conducted an investigation at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
• The AAP announced plans to hold a press conference aimed at revealing the truth behind Maliwal's alleged assault at the Delhi chief minister's residence. Atishi, an AAP minister, made this announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
• Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, failed to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) regarding Maliwal's alleged assault. The NCW had summoned Kumar to appear at 11 am.
• As per the FIR filed by the Delhi Police, Maliwal was reportedly "kicked and slapped seven to eight times" by the chief minister’s aide at her official residence, despite her pleas for him to stop.
• The Civil Lines Police registered a case based on Swati Maliwal's complaint on Thursday, following the alleged assault. Officials have stated that the FIR has been filed against Kumar under several sections of the Indian Penal Code. These include:

- Section 354: Assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty.

- Section 506: Punishment for criminal intimidation.

- Section 509: Word, gesture, or act intended to insult.

- Section 323: Assault.

- Section 308: Attempt to commit culpable homicide.

- Section 341: Punishment for wrongful restraint.

- Section 354B: Assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe.

• Amidst the ongoing political turmoil, CCTV footage capturing Maliwal's altercation with the staff at Kejriwal's residence surfaced online. In response to the viral footage, the AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP stated that the truth would eventually come to light. Maliwal expressed her belief, through X, that the individual involved in the assault was attempting to save himself, but asserted that the truth would emerge after investigating the CCTV footage from the Delhi CM's residence. She also emphasised that he cannot evade accountability for his actions.

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Swati Maliwal's Medical Report

According to Swati Maliwal's medico-legal case (MLC) report, she sustained injuries as a result of the alleged attack by Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The report, filed on Saturday, detailed the extent of her injuries.

Maliwal's medical examination, conducted at AIIMS, revealed specific injuries. She was found to have a bruise measuring "3x2 centimeters" over the "proximal left leg dorsal aspect". Additionally, another bruise of "2x2 centimeters" was observed over her "right cheek below her right eye".

These injuries, documented in the MLC report, provide medical evidence of the physical harm Maliwal allegedly suffered during the incident involving Bibhav Kumar. The report serves as a crucial aspect of the investigation, shedding light on the extent of the injuries sustained by the AAP Rajya Sabha member.

Who Is Swati Maliwal?

Swati Maliwal, born on October 15, 1984, is a social activist and politician who gained prominence during the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. She served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) from 2015 to 2024.

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