In the midst of escalating tensions surrounding the purported aggression towards AAP MP Swati Maliwal, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken independent notice of the situation. Meanwhile, a contingent from the Delhi Police visited Maliwal’s abode on Thursday to gather information regarding the incident.

Amidst a joint press briefing of the INDIA bloc in Lucknow, AAP Chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal opted for reticence concerning the matter, deflecting inquiries. On the 13th of May, Maliwal lodged a visit to the Civil Lines police station in the capital, alleging an “assault” by a member of Kejriwal’s personal staff at the official residence of the chief minister, as per police sources. A formal complaint is yet to be lodged. The NCW has summoned Kejriwal’s Personal Secretary, Bibhav Kumar, to appear before it at 11 am on Friday.

Kejriwal Maintains Silence

Arvind Kejriwal refrained from addressing the Swati Maliwal ‘assault’ during the joint press conference, where Akhilesh Yadav emphasized the presence of “more significant matters” for discussion. AAP representative Sanjay Sing concurred, asserting the necessity to refrain from politicizing the issue.

He redirected the focus towards the BJP government, highlighting incidents such as the disgraceful treatment of a Manipuri woman, the Prajwal Revanna scandal, and the purported ‘assault’ on Maliwal during her tenure as the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief amidst protests by wrestlers.

When questioned about the alleged assault on AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal, Kejriwal remained silent. Yadav intervened, indicating a priority for other pressing matters. Drawing a comparison, he implied that false accusations are not exclusive to any single party but are perpetrated by a broader ‘gang’.

Sanjay Singh, taking the floor from the SP chief, urged accountability from the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their handling of atrocities against women under their governance. He referenced instances like the humiliation of a Kargil veteran’s wife in Manipur and the escape of Prajwal Revanna, accused of mass rape, facilitated by the BJP.

Singh, having visited Maliwal on Wednesday, reiterated AAP’s solidarity, urging the BJP and PM to address the concerns raised. He emphasized the need to avoid politicization of such issues.

Delhi Police’s Visit to Maliwal’s Residence

A specialized team from the Delhi Police, including senior officials, arrived at Swati Maliwal’s dwelling on Thursday. Additional Commissioner of Police Pramod Kumar Kushwaha, alongside other officers, visited Maliwal’s residence. Earlier statements from DCP (North) Manoj Kumar Meena indicated receipt of a PCR call at 9:34 a.m. on Monday, reporting an assault at the CM House, allegedly by CM’s PA Bibhav Kumar.

The PCR call detailed the assault claim by a woman at the CM’s residence, attributed to CM’s PA Bibhav Kumar. Responding to the call, law enforcement personnel, including the SHO, reached the site, only to find Maliwal absent. She later visited the Civil Lines police station, expressing intent to file a complaint at a later time.

NCW’s Intervention

The NCW intervened independently, summoning Kejriwal’s Personal Secretary Bibhav Kumar to appear on Friday in connection with Maliwal’s allegations. The notice cited media reports detailing Maliwal’s accusation against Kejriwal’s personal secretary of assaulting her at the CM’s residence. The commission scheduled a hearing on May 17, requiring Kumar’s in-person attendance.