Party leaders pressured to act against me: Maliwal accuses AAP
What's the story
Aam Aadmi Party MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday alleged that senior members of her party are being pressured to act against her after she filed an assault case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar.
In a post on X, Maliwal said that she received a call from the AAP's "senior leader," who told her that everyone is under pressure to speak "dirty things" against her.
Notably, Delhi Police is investigating Maliwal's allegations with Kumar in custody.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Kumar was arrested on Saturday at Kejriwal's residence, two days after a case was registered against him.
The Delhi CM's aide has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354 (B) (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
Information
Slapped, kicked in stomach: Maliwal's complaint
In her complaint on May 16, Maliwal alleged that Kumar "slapped" her "seven to eight times," "brutally dragged" her, and kicked her in the "chest, stomach, and pelvis area." The AAP has, however, refuted the charges, with Delhi Minister Atishi alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made Maliwal file the first information report (FIR).
Statement
Whoever supports me will be expelled: Maliwal
"[There is immense pressure]...to break me by leaking my personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports me will be expelled from the party," she said in her post.
"Someone has been assigned the duty of holding press conferences, while someone else has been assigned the task of tweeting. Someone's responsibility is to call volunteers in America and obtain something against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused must fabricate some fake sting operations," she added.
Twitter Post
Read: Maliwal's post here
कल पार्टी के एक बड़े नेता का फोन आया। उसने बताया कैसे सब पर बहुत ज़्यादा दबाव है, स्वाति के ख़िलाफ़ गंदी बातें बोलनी हैं, उसकी पर्सनल फ़ोटोज़ लीक करके उसे तोड़ना है। ये बोला जा रहा है कि जो उसको सपोर्ट करेगा उसको पार्टी से निकाल देंगे। किसी को PC करने की और किसी को ट्वीट्स करने…
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 22, 2024
Message to AAP
I will continue to fight until I get justice: Maliwal
She added that the AAP may gather an army of thousands, but she will confront them alone.
"I am not angry with them; the accused is a very powerful man...No one has the courage to take a stand against him...I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old...colleague," she added.
"I have initiated a fight for my self-respect, and I will continue to fight until I get justice," she added.
Probe process
Kumar brought back from Mumbai
Meanwhile, Delhi Police brought back Kumar from Mumbai on Wednesday.
He had been taken to Mumbai on Tuesday for phone data recovery, suspected to have been formatted before his arrest.
He remains in five-day police custody in connection with the alleged assault.
Authorities allege he formatted his phone after transferring data in Mumbai.
His phone, laptop, and CCTV recordings from Kejriwal's house are under forensic examination.