Arvind Kejriwal's Aide Bibhav Kumar Granted Bail by Supreme Court, Released on Personal Bond

On Tuesday, a Delhi court issued a release order for Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following a Supreme Court decision to grant him bail in the Swati Maliwal assault case. Kumar was released on a personal bail bond and surety of Rs 1 lakh each. 

The Supreme Court had granted bail on Monday, noting that Kumar had been in custody for over 100 days and that the chargesheet had been filed. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan acknowledged the prosecution's plan to examine more than 51 witnesses, which would prolong the trial.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan also took into account the fact that the prosecution has proposed to examine more than 51 witnesses and said the trial will take time to conclude.

Noting the apex court's order, judicial magistrate Gaurav Goyal released Kumar's bail order on furnishing a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 1 lakh each. "Bail bond and surety bond furnished and accepted," the magistrate said.

Other conditions of the bail included Kumar not switching off his mobile phone and joining the investigation when required, the court said.

"The accused person shall not directly or indirectly induce, give threat, or in any way dissuade the witnesses or persons acquainted with the facts of the case," it added.

Judicial magistrate Gaurav Goyal authorized Kumar's release upon the submission of the bail and surety bonds. Other conditions of his bail include refraining from threatening witnesses, not tampering with evidence, attending court proceedings regularly, and not switching off his mobile phone.

Kumar was released from Tihar Jail at 2 pm. The final report against him, filed by Delhi Police, includes several sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), among others.