Shruti Suman
New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has refuted assault allegations made by its Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal, claiming she was “sent by the BJP” to target AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. According to AAP, the alleged incident, which took place on the morning of May 13, was a conspiracy aimed at accusing Kejriwal of assault, but he was not present at his residence at the time.
At a press conference on Friday evening, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi suggested that the BJP orchestrated this plan because they were “rattled” after Kejriwal’s recent release on bail. She claimed that Maliwal’s primary objective was to frame Kejriwal, and when this failed, she accused his personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, of assault.
Atishi cited a viral video showing Maliwal in a heated argument with security staff at Kejriwal’s official residence, shortly after the alleged assault. The video, Atishi argued, shows Maliwal seated comfortably and threatening police personnel and Kumar, contradicting her claims of being assaulted.
“In her police complaint, she said she was assaulted. However, the video shows her sitting comfortably and threatening police officials and Bibhav Kumar,” Atishi stated, emphasizing that Maliwal’s clothes were not torn and there were no visible injuries.
Earlier, AAP had promised “strict action” against those involved in the alleged assault and stood in support of Maliwal. However, the party has now released the video, stating it reveals “Swati Maliwal’s truth”.
Maliwal, seen briefly in the 52-second clip, is asked by security staff to leave Kejriwal’s residence. Delhi Police acknowledged the video but noted it has yet to be verified.
Maliwal responded to the video’s release by accusing a “political hitman” of trying to protect himself by circulating the clip out of context. She asserted that the truth would come out once CCTV footage from the residence is reviewed.
“Like every time, this political hitman has started efforts to save himself. By getting his people to tweet and play videos without any context, he thinks he can save himself by committing this crime,” Maliwal alleged in a post on X. She insisted that the full truth will be revealed when the CCTV footage is examined, suggesting that divine justice would ultimately prevail.
NI Bureau
