Priyanka Chaturvedi expresses hope for justice in Swati Maliwal assault case

Priyanka Chaturvedi/ File Photo

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed hope that the truth will be revealed in Swati Maliwal's assault case and that justice will be done. Chaturvedi stated that the Delhi Police had finally filed an FIR in the Swati Maliwal assault case.

Chaturvedi told ANI during the INDIA bloc rally at BKC Grounds, "The Delhi Police has finally become proactive and registered an FIR. I hope the truth will prevail and whoever is the victim, if something wrong has been done with Swati Maliwal, shall get justice."

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The development comes as Maliwal, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP, said on Friday that CCTV cameras at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence were tampered with.

On the microblogging site X, Maliwal, the former chairman of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), said, "I have received information that now these people are tampering with the CCTV of the house," tagging Delhi Police.

Earlier on Friday evening, a Delhi Police team, led by Additional DCP Delhi North, Civil Lines Police Station SHO, and forensic experts, came to the CM's residence to recreate the incident. Maliwal was also present during the investigation into Swati Maliwal assault case. The team departed the CM's home at 2:15 a.m. on Saturday after conducting an investigation and videotaping the premises, stated an ANI report.

This comes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, submitted a written complaint against Maliwal, alleging unlawful access, verbal abuse, threats, and suspected BJP complicity. Kumar encouraged authorities to take legal action against Maliwal and explore her potential ties to BJP leaders, implying political motivations for the incident, particularly given the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

According to the ANI report, the controversy erupted after Maliwal accused Kumar of beating her at the Chief Minister's residence. On Friday, the AAP responded by publishing a videotape from the chief minister's residence that supposedly shows Maliwal fighting with security staff on the day of the alleged attack. This was the first time the AAP took a stand against Maliwal, contradicting previous remarks from AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who claimed Kejriwal had demanded "strict action" and supported Maliwal.

On Thursday, Delhi Police responded to Maliwal's complaint by filing a FIR. Maliwal alleged that Kumar "slapped" her "at least seven to eight times" and "brutally dragged" her while "kicking" her in the "chest, stomach, and pelvis area", the report added.

According to the Delhi Police FIR, the Swati Maliwal assault case occurred on May 13 when Maliwal went to Kejriwal's apartment in Civil Lines. As the dispute heated up, Maliwal accused her party of defending a "Gunda" (thug) and engaged in "character assassination." She stated that, while her party initially accepted the assault, they have since taken a "U-turn."

Delhi's Tis Hazari court recorded Maliwal's statement in the assault case on Friday. An FIR has been filed against Bibhav Kumar and others under IPC Sections 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (Wrongful restraint), 354B (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (Criminal intimidation), and 509 (Insulting the modesty of a woman).