Swati Maliwal Assault: 50 Witnesses Including CM's Security Staff Named In Chargesheet Against Bibhav Kumar

The Delhi Police on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case in the Tis Hazari Court. Kumar, currently held in Tihar Jail, appeared before the court via video conferencing. Judicial Magistrate First Class Gaurav Goyal accepted the charge sheet, which was presented by Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava. Additional DCP A Chepyala was also present during the hearing.

The charge sheet details multiple accusations against Kumar, including Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Kumar also allegedly attempted to format his phone and transfer data, tampered with CCTV footage, and refused to share his phone password with authorities.

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Evidence includes Kumar's mobile phone, SIM card, and DVR/NVR footage from CCTV cameras at the Chief Minister's residence. The 500-page charge sheet involved the examination of 100 people, with 50 listed as witnesses. Security staff from the Chief Minister's house are among the witnesses in the case.

The court has scheduled the charge sheet for consideration on July 30 and has directed the jail authorities to produce Kumar physically in court. Kumar's previous bail applications were denied due to the serious nature of the charges and potential evidence tampering.

Swati Maliwal Assault Case:

Swati Maliwal, an AAP MP in Rajya Sabha, accused Kumar of assaulting her on May 13 at the Delhi Chief Minister's residence. Kumar was arrested on May 18 and has since been in judicial custody.]

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In the FIR, Maliwal had said, "He (Bibhav Kumar) slapped me 7-8 times at least while I continued screaming. I pushed him away to protect myself. At that time he pounced on me, brutally dragged me and deliberately pulled my shirt up."

"Bibhav Kumar did not relent and attacked me by kicking me repeatedly in my chest, stomach and pelvic area with his legs. I was in extreme pain and kept telling him to stop," She added.