New Delhi: The Swati Maliwal controversy took a dramatic turn on Friday with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing its own leader of making up stories of assault and colluding with the BJP to discredit the party during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Countering Maliwal’s claim of assault against Arvind Kejriwal’s PA Bibhav Kumar, AAP minister Atishi said that video footage from the chief minister’s residence shows Maliwal threatening Kumar, adding that charges levelled by her are baseless.
Claiming that Maliwal had gone to Kejriwal’s residence on Monday morning without taking an appointment, Atishi said that the Rajya Sabha MP’s intention was to level allegations against the Delhi chief minister, at the BJP’s behest.
“Ever since Arvind Kejriwal has got bail, the BJP is rattled… They hatched a conspiracy under which Swati Maliwal was sent to Kejriwal’s house on the morning of 13th May. Maliwal was the face and pawn of this conspiracy. They intended to accuse the CM but the CM was not there at that time, so he was saved. After that, Swati Maliwal accused Bibhav Kumar,” Atishi said at a press conference.
Maliwal, who went to the police station from Kejriwal’s residence on Monday, didn’t lodge any complaint then.
After three days of silence, Maliwal recorded her statement with police on Thursday night, based on which an FIR was filed. Maliwal claimed that Kumar slapped her 7-8 times and repeatedly kicked her in the stomach and pelvis.
“In her complaint to the police, she said she was assaulted. The video which has come out today shows her sitting comfortably in the drawing room (of CM’s house) and threatening police officials. She was also seen threatening Bibhav Kumar in the video. Neither her clothes were not torn nor any injury on her head can be seen in the video,” Atishi said.
#WATCH | On AAP MP Swati Maliwal assault case, AAP leader & Delhi minister Atishi says, “Ever since Arvind Kejriwal has got bail, the BJP is rattled. Due to this, the BJP hatched a conspiracy, under which Swati Maliwal was sent to Arvind Kejriwal’s house on the morning of 13th… pic.twitter.com/bP9Wcwocqq
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2024
Atishi said Kumar had also given his statement with Delhi Police, denying charges of assault.
Police have taken Maliwal to Kejriwal’s residence to recreate the events of May 13.
#WATCH | AAP MP Swati Maliwal arrives at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence as police is expected to recreate what happened with her here on 13th May pic.twitter.com/bM7w8kygO3
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2024
Asked why AAP leader Sanjay Singh had admitted two days ago that Maliwal had been assaulted at Kejriwal’s house, Atishi said all details were not available at that time.
“Now we know from video footage that Swati Maliwal was lying,” said Atishi.
