NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal claimed she was assaulted by Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, on Monday. The Delhi Police confirmed they received calls from within Kejriwal’s residence, from a phone number registered to Maliwal, reporting the harassment. Maliwal visited the Civil Lines police station but did not file an official complaint, allegedly after receiving some calls. However, on Thursday, the Delhi Police registered an FIR naming Kumar as the accused.

The FIR states that Maliwal went to meet Kejriwal at his official residence at 9 am on Monday. She recounted that she entered the camp office and attempted to call Kumar but was unsuccessful. She then proceeded to the residential area and asked the staff to inform Kejriwal of her arrival. In the FIR, Maliwal alleged that Kumar 'kicked and slapped her seven to eight times' at the Chief Minister’s official residence and continued despite her pleas to stop.

Initially, AAP described the incident as unfortunate, promising an inquiry and punishment for anyone found guilty. Addressing a press conference on May 14, AAP leader Sanjay Singh it was a “condemnable incident” adding, “Yesterday, Maliwal had gone to meet Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. While she was waiting to meet him in the drawing room, Bibhav Kumar misbehaved with her. This is a highly condemnable incident. Kejriwal has taken cognizance of it and will take strict action in the incident."

However, after the FIR was filed, AAP accused Maliwal of lying, alleging a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A viral CCTV footage from May 13 showed Maliwal in a heated argument with the staff at Kejriwal’s house. Delhi minister Atishi dismissed Maliwal’s allegations as “baseless,” claiming she was lying and that the BJP was behind the conspiracy.