AAP MP Swati Maliwal has accused Arvind Kejriwal's aide of assaulting her and criticized the sharing of a video of her inside the Chief Minister's residence, claiming it was shared "without context." Meanwhile, the AAP asserted that the video revealed the "truth of Swati Maliwal."
A mobile phone video depicting Swati Maliwal at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on the day of the alleged assault has ignited a significant dispute between Maliwal and her party. The AAP contends that the video is evidence of Maliwal's involvement in a "conspiracy hatched by the BJP." In contrast, Maliwal argued that the video was posted "without any context" by a "political hitman" attempting to protect himself. She did not name anyone in her tweet.
The footage shows Maliwal in a heated exchange with several security staff at Kejriwal's residence. The men instructed her to leave, but she adamantly insisted on speaking with the police officers. During the argument, she used the term 'ganja' (bald), which angered the security personnel.
India Today was unable to independently verify the video's authenticity.
In the video, Maliwal can be heard saying, "I will not, I will not. I will do it. I will tell everyone about this," as she argues with the security staff. She also asserts that she will speak to senior police officers and refuses to leave until then. The security staff responds, "Fine, but for now you leave," to which Maliwal replies, "No, whatever needs to happen, will happen here now. You do whatever you want to do. And I will take away your job too if you touch me."
As the security staff humbly requests her to leave, she insists, "I have dialed up 112. Let the police come, then I will talk." When the staff questions if the police will come inside, Maliwal asserts that they will. She calls one of the security personnel "Yeh ganja sala. (This bald person)," which provokes the staff to caution her against using such language.
In response to the video, Maliwal stated that it was shared "without context" and argued that CCTV footage from inside the house and room would reveal the truth. She tweeted in Hindi, accusing a "political hitman" of attempting to save himself by sharing the video out of context and insisted that the complete CCTV footage would expose the real events.
AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi accused Maliwal of being "the face and pawn" in a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP. She claimed that the BJP, distressed by Kejriwal's bail, sent Maliwal to Kejriwal's house as part of a scheme to accuse the Chief Minister. Atishi said the video showed Maliwal comfortably seated and threatening police officials and Bibhav Kumar, without any visible injuries.
AAP minister Saurabh Bhardwaj pointed out alleged inconsistencies between Maliwal's complaint and the video. He noted that Maliwal called the police, indicating the assault had already occurred, yet did not mention being beaten in the video. Bhardwaj suggested that more CCTV footage would clarify the truth.
Maliwal retaliated against AAP leaders questioning her assault claims and accused the party of protecting a "goon" by questioning her character. She referenced the party's earlier acceptance of her claims, now reversed under pressure from the accused.
The FIR detailed the assault, alleging that Bibhav Kumar, Kejriwal's aide, slapped and kicked Maliwal multiple times, and threatened to "bury her." She managed to escape and called the police, after which Kumar brought security staff to remove her from the premises.
