Former aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar, has escalated his legal battle by petitioning the Delhi High Court after being denied bail by a trial court in an assault case lodged against him by AAP MP Swati Maliwal.
Bibhav Kumar, who faces continued legal troubles, completed four days in judicial custody following the rejection of his bail application by the Tis Hazari court on Monday. Scheduled for a court appearance tomorrow, his legal woes have intensified amidst mounting pressure from the prosecution and the emotional plea from the victim.
The dismissal of the bail plea ensued after a tense courtroom exchange between legal representatives. Senior Advocate N Hariharan, representing Kumar, presented arguments countered by Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava and advocate Madhav Khurana, representing Maliwal. Despite extensive arguments, the court reserved its decision on Kumar’s bail plea.
Maliwal, who was present at the hearing, vehemently opposed the bail, citing threats she had received and becoming emotional during the proceedings. Initially, Delhi Police opposed the bail, contending that it was not filed in the appropriate court. This claim was challenged by Hariharan, citing jurisdiction and the nature of the charges under Section 308 IPC.
In a compelling rebuttal, Hariharan argued against the severity of the charges, emphasizing the lack of evidence and disputing the allegations outlined in the FIR. Khurana, representing Maliwal, highlighted her right to be heard and the delay in filing the FIR, stressing the significance of the injuries.
Maliwal herself addressed the court, expressing concerns over her safety and alleging political influence on the case. As Kumar maintains his innocence, the legal battle intensifies, with both sides presenting compelling arguments and seeking justice in the complex assault case.