The Delhi Police has augmented the charges against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in the assault case involving AAP MP Swati Maliwal. An official stated that they have invoked Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Kumar, adding an additional charge related to "disappearing evidence and giving false information."
Section 201 of the IPC pertains to causing the disappearance of evidence of an offense or providing false information to shield an offender. This move follows the initial FIR lodged against Kumar on May 16, which included charges such as criminal intimidation, assault on a woman with the intent to disrobe and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
The addition of Section 201 could result in imprisonment for a fraction of the punishment awarded for the primary offense.
Maliwal, a former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that Kumar assaulted her severely at the CM's official residence on May 13.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Kumar's mobile phone had been formatted. Despite being arrested on May 18 from Kejriwal's residence, Kumar did not fully cooperate with the police, and his phone's formatting location remains undisclosed.
Moreover, three CCTV DVRs from Kejriwal's residence were collected for examination, as there were suspicions of tampering. However, forensic reports on these DVRs are still pending.
Kumar has been in custody since May 18 and is currently detained at Tihar Jail.
