Swati Maliwal assault controversy : In a development that has intensified the ongoing political storm in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has made his first public comments regarding the alleged assault on his party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal. Kejriwal emphasized the necessity of a fair investigation to ensure justice, acknowledging that there are conflicting versions of the incident.
Shocking Twist in Swati Maliwal Assault Case: Arvind Kejriwal’s Unexpected Response!
Background of the Incident
On May 13, Swati Maliwal, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, accused Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, of physically assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence. Maliwal claimed that Kumar kicked her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area and also alleged that he brutally dragged her, pulling her shirt up during the assault. Following these allegations, Kumar was arrested and is currently in police custody until Thursday.
Kejriwal’s Statement
In an interview with PTI, Kejriwal highlighted that the matter is sub-judice, and any comments from him could potentially influence the legal proceedings. However, he stressed the importance of a just and impartial investigation.
“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 be done,” Kejriwal stated.
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Maliwal’s Response
Swati Maliwal responded sharply to Kejriwal’s comments, pointing out the perceived irony in his call for a fair investigation. She accused Kejriwal of character assassination and described the various ways in which she felt victimized by the party’s leadership and volunteers.
“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 with evidence and protesting in favor of the accused, the Chief Minister, in whose drawing room I was beaten up, has finally said that he wants a free and fair investigation in the matter,” Maliwal posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Political Reactions
BJP’s Criticism
The controversy has provided ammunition for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to criticize AAP and Kejriwal. BJP President JP Nadda questioned Kejriwal’s initial silence on the issue, calling it indicative of his “double character and dual standards”.
Lieutenant Governor’s Remarks
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also criticized Kejriwal’s response, or lack thereof, regarding the incident. “I would have expected that, at least for the sake of propriety, my chief minister would have come clean, rather than being evasive and dodgy. His deafening silence speaks volumes of his stance on the safety of women,” Saxena remarked.
AAP’s Defense
AAP has vehemently defended itself, suggesting that the allegations and the subsequent political fallout are part of a BJP conspiracy, especially with the upcoming elections. The party’s spokespersons have argued that the BJP is using the incident to distract from its own failings and revive its electoral prospects.
“With the elections on, the BJP is bringing a new conspiracy daily, from liquor scam to Swati Maliwal to foreign funding. The BJP is losing badly, so they are trying to revive their prospects by using the Swati Maliwal issue,” AAP stated in a response to Saxena’s comments.
Conclusion
The alleged assault on Swati Maliwal and the ensuing political drama highlight the intense factionalism and personal conflicts within Delhi’s political landscape. As investigations continue, the incident will likely remain a focal point of contention and a significant issue in the political discourse leading up to the elections. Kejriwal’s call for a fair investigation reflects the complexity and sensitivity of the situation, where multiple narratives and political stakes are at play.
FAQs on Arvind Kejriwal’s Response to Swati Maliwal Assault Controversy
- What is the Swati Maliwal assault controversy?
- The Swati Maliwal assault controversy refers to the alleged physical assault on AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence.
- Who is Swati Maliwal?
- Swati Maliwal is a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party and an activist known for her work on women’s issues and rights in India.
- Who allegedly assaulted Swati Maliwal?
- Swati Maliwal has alleged that she was assaulted by Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar.
- What was Arvind Kejriwal’s response to the assault allegations?
- Arvind Kejriwal called for a fair investigation into the allegations, stating that there are two versions of the event and justice should be served.
- What did Swati Maliwal say about Kejriwal’s response?
- Swati Maliwal criticized Kejriwal’s response, calling it ironic given his previous actions of character assassination and victim shaming against her.
- What actions were taken against Bibhav Kumar?
- Bibhav Kumar was arrested and sent to police custody for the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal.
- What did the BJP say about the incident?
- The BJP criticized Arvind Kejriwal’s silence on the issue, with party president JP Nadda questioning his dual standards and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena expressing disappointment in Kejriwal’s evasiveness.
- What did Kumar Sangakkara say about the umpiring controversy?
- Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals, was furious and expressed his dissatisfaction with the umpiring decision during the match.
- What was the political fallout from the controversy?
- The controversy led to political attacks from the BJP against AAP, with accusations of conspiracy and character assassination.
- How did the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) respond to the BJP’s allegations?
- AAP accused the BJP of using the controversy as a political tool to revive their prospects ahead of elections, claiming it was part of a larger conspiracy.
- What did Arvind Kejriwal say about the police investigation?
- Kejriwal emphasized the need for a fair and impartial police investigation to ensure justice is served.
- Did Arvind Kejriwal’s response satisfy Swati Maliwal and her supporters?
- No, Swati Maliwal and her supporters found Kejriwal’s response insufficient and criticized his previous actions against her.
- What did the Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena say about Kejriwal’s response?
- VK Saxena criticized Kejriwal for not addressing the issue properly and questioned his commitment to women’s safety.
- What were the immediate repercussions for Bibhav Kumar following the allegations?
- Bibhav Kumar faced arrest and police custody as the investigation into the assault allegations commenced.
- What did Sunil Gavaskar comment on the LBW decision involving Dinesh Karthik?
- Sunil Gavaskar believed the umpire’s decision was incorrect, stating that the bat hit the pads and not the ball.
- How did Swati Maliwal describe her experience of the alleged assault?
- Maliwal described the assault as brutal, claiming she was kicked and dragged by Bibhav Kumar, causing severe physical and emotional distress.
- What was the broader public reaction to the controversy?
- The public reaction was mixed, with some supporting Maliwal’s allegations and others questioning the political motives behind the controversy.
- How did the media cover the controversy?
- The media extensively covered the controversy, highlighting the political drama, responses from key figures, and the ongoing investigation.
- What legal actions have been taken so far in the assault case?
- Legal actions included the arrest of Bibhav Kumar and his remand to police custody for further investigation.
- What are the next steps in the investigation of the assault allegations?
- The investigation will continue with police gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and verifying both versions of the event to determine the truth and ensure justice.
