New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal broke down in court on Monday after a lawyer of Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar said that she chose the spot of the alleged assault on May 13 at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence because there was no CCTV, which could record the incident.
On her part, the former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson slammed AAP’s “army of trolls”, blamed a popular YouTuber for increasing rape and death threats, and told the court that if Bibhav Kumar was granted bail, then “there is danger to my life, as well as my family’s”.
The Tis Hazari Court in Delhi was hearing a bail plea filed by the Chief Minister’s aide, whose judicial custody is set to end tomorrow after it was extended for four days on May 24. He was arrested on May 18.
Speaking on behalf of his client, Bibhav Kumar’s lawyer said, “It was all premeditated. False allegations against me to malign me for whatever reason she has, for thinking I was responsible for her not meeting the Chief Minister.”
“The drawing room (at Kejriwal’s residence) where the alleged incident took place was not covered by any CCTV. That is why she chose the location. She knows there’s no CCTV. She can conveniently be there and make allegations later,” he added.
The lawyer went on to say that what Maliwal did on May 13 “amounts to trespass”.
“Can anyone enter anywhere like that? It is the Chief Minister’s residence. Being an MP does not give you a licence to do whatever you like. There was provocation from her end. She came with pre-meditated intent to create trouble. Although she’s been a frequent visitor, that does not give her the right to trespass.”
Commenting on the section in Maliwal’s police FIR that says “assault with intent to disrobe”, the lawyer said, “The allegations don’t make a case that there was an intent to disrobe her. The intent to disrobe is completely different. If I cite ancient times, it is an offence which could be applicable to the Kauravas for what they did to Draupadi.”
Addressing the court, Maliwal said that she has been repeatedly called a BJP agent since she reported the alleged assault.
“They (AAP) have an army of trolls. The entire party machinery has been deployed. Continuous press conferences were held against me. This man (Bibhav Kumar) is not normal,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Without mentioning the name of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, Maliwal told the court that “a YouTuber, who was earlier a volunteer, made a one-sided video. After the video, I started getting death and rape threats continuously”.