In PCR call, Swati Maliwal accuses Kejriwal’s PA of beating her up at his behest

NEW DELHI: High-voltage drama unfolded at chief minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s residence in north Delhi on Monday morning after his party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal, claimed in a PCR call that she had been assaulted by Kejriwal’s personal assistant, Bibhav, on the former’s instructions. This brought the cops to the spot. Later, she went to the Civil Lines police station in order to file an FIR.However, after receiving some phone calls there, she left, telling the cops she would return. They were waiting till late at night.
The cops marked her complaint as “pending” and no FIR had been filed till late Monday. Police have sought legal opinion on whether they can proceed on the basis of the DD entry and PCR call, a protocol followed in many cases.

The incident took social media by storm. Bibhav and Swati have been with Kejriwal since his NGO days and their falling out has left a large section within AAP dismayed. It is particularly disturbing when Kejriwal is gearing up for poll campaign. AAP didn’t react to the development.
Maliwal reached police stn at 10.30am, left without filing FIR
Swati’s allegation that she was beaten up at the behest of Kejriwal has also angered many partymen.
Maliwal reportedly arrived at the CM’s residence around 9-9.10 am. She wanted to meet the CM which was allegedly denied by his personal staff and security. This led to the fracas and Maliwal sought police help. According to sources, Delhi Police’s control room received a call from Maliwal around 9.24-25 am. “This is Swati Maliwal, MP, calling from 6 Flag Staff Road. Vibhav has assaulted me on the CM’s instruction,” she said in the call which was logged.
The PCR log states: “Caller bol raha hai ‘main abhi CM ke ghar par hu, unhone apne PA Bibhav Kumar se mujhe buri tarah pitwaya hai’.” It was the SHO of Civil Lines who had reached the CM’s residence with his team. Maliwal, cops said, reiterated her complaint and was requested to come to the police station. She was seen boarding an auto from near the CM’s residence around 9.50am.She was reportedly heading for some other place but reached the police station around 10.30am to lodge an FIR. However, she received a few calls there after which she stood up within a few minutes of her arrival and said she had to leave, policemen present there said. Around 10.50 am, Maliwal boarded another auto and left the station saying she would come back later.
A former video journalist with a magazine, Bibhav Kumar is one of Kejriwal’s most trusted aides. He has also faced ED’s scrutiny in the excise policy-linked money laundering probe besides the case related to alleged irregularities in Delhi Jal Board. In February, ED had conducted raids at 12 locations, including those connected to Bibhav Kumar and AAP lawmaker ND Gupta. Last month, it had questioned Bibhav in the excise policy case as well. Recently, the directorate of vigilance had terminated Bibhav’s services as personal secretary to the chief minister.
Maliwal, who was previously listed as a star campaigner for Delhi, has not found a place in Punjab star campaigners’ list, evoking a response from BJP. “Instead of an inquiry being ordered, she has been removed from the star campaigner list,” said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.
“Our ideology may be different from that of Maliwal but it can’t be ignored that she has worked for women, including getting illegal spas closed,” said another party functionary, Tajinder Bagga.