AAP leader Swati Maliwal has found herself at the center of a controversy involving allegations of harassment by Bibhav Kumar, an aide to party boss Arvind Kejriwal. After four days of silence, Maliwal submitted a statement to Delhi Police on Thursday evening, igniting a political tussle between Delhi’s ruling party and the opposition BJP.
Allegations and Initial Reactions
According to sources, Maliwal, who underwent a check-up at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, filed a case against Kumar. In her first public statement since the incident, she expressed on X, “What happened to me was very bad… The last few days have been very difficult…”
Earlier in the day, a two-member police team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police PS Kushwaha visited Maliwal at her home to gather details. Following their visit, a case was registered against Kumar, including charges of assault and criminal intimidation. This occurred hours after the National Commission for Women summoned him.
The Incident and Political Fallout
The alleged assault took place on Monday at the Chief Minister’s residence in Delhi’s Civil Lines area. AAP’s Sanjay Singh confirmed on Tuesday that Maliwal, while waiting to meet the Chief Minister, was “misbehaved” with by Kumar. Police received two calls from within Kejriwal’s residence, alerting them to the harassment; these calls were made from a phone number registered to Maliwal.
Maliwal later appeared at a local police station but left without filing a formal complaint.
BJP’s Counter-Attacks
The incident led the BJP to launch a series of attacks against AAP and Kejriwal, who had recently been released on bail to campaign for his party in the ongoing general election, following his March arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a liquor policy case. The BJP accused Kejriwal of protecting his aide and demanded his resignation. These accusations intensified as Kejriwal avoided media queries on the matter.
AAP’s Defense
In response, Sanjay Singh, also out on bail in the liquor policy case, defended Kejriwal, challenging the BJP to address crimes against women in Manipur and allegations against their ally, JDS MP Prajwal Revanna. Singh labeled the incident “shameful” and stated that Kejriwal had called for the strictest action against Kumar. He denounced the BJP’s political games and expressed the party’s support for Maliwal, referring to her as one of AAP’s most senior leaders.
BJP’s Criticism Continues
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva questioned the delay in AAP’s response, asking why they remained silent for 36 hours and why the Chief Minister had not addressed the issue sooner. Arvinder Singh Lovely, a BJP member recently switched from Congress, condemned the treatment of Maliwal and criticized AAP’s ability to guarantee women’s safety.
Congress and INDIA Opposition Bloc’s Reaction
The row also drew reactions from AAP’s ally, the Congress. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with Maliwal, stating her support for women regardless of their party affiliations but left further actions to AAP’s discretion.
AAP is part of the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc, formed to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Delhi’s seven Lok Sabha seats are set to vote on May 25, with BJP having won all seven in the last election.