Court Orders Five-Day Custody for Kejriwal's Aide in Assault Case

In a recent development from the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, has been remanded to five days in police custody. This decision comes in light of allegations surrounding the assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. The incident, which reportedly took place at the Chief Minister's residence on May 13, has led to Kumar's arrest earlier on Saturday. Following his arrest, Kumar's plea for anticipatory bail was deemed infructuous by a Delhi court.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal was responsible for the decision to send Kumar into police custody for a duration of five days. The police had initially sought a seven-day custody period to facilitate further questioning in relation to the assault case. According to police statements, the necessity for Kumar's custody stems from the need to interrogate him regarding the motive behind the alleged assault and to overcome hurdles such as Kumar's refusal to unlock his mobile phone for investigation purposes.

It has been brought to light that Kumar's mobile phone, which is considered crucial for the investigation, was formatted in Mumbai due to reported malfunctions. The police argue that data retrieval from Kumar's phone is essential, necessitating his presence in Mumbai for the process. This aspect of the investigation underscores the complexities involved in gathering evidence and underscores the investigative challenges faced by authorities.

On the defense side, counsel Rajiv Mohan raised several points contesting the police's claims and questioning the legitimacy of Maliwal's allegations. Mohan highlighted inconsistencies regarding Maliwal's visit to the CM's residence and questioned the delay in filing the FIR, which was registered at the Civil Lines police station on May 16. Furthermore, Mohan argued against the necessity of Kumar's mobile phone in the investigation, stating that Maliwal had not alleged any threats over phone or WhatsApp calls.

The defense also criticized the manner in which Kumar's arrest was handled, with another counsel for Kumar, Shadan Farasat, pointing out that they were not provided with a copy of the FIR despite it being circulated in media. This move was interpreted by Farasat as an attempt to undermine Kumar's anticipatory bail application.

In response to these allegations, the Delhi Police's counsel emphasized Maliwal's state of shock post-assault and her subsequent recovery as reasons for the delay in lodging an official complaint. This case has sparked significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of prominent political figures. As investigations continue, further details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this controversial incident.