New Delhi: After Bibhav Kumar was arrested today by the Delhi Police in connection with the alleged assault on Swati Maliwal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Atishi Marlena held a press conference for a second time today.

Swati Maliwal, an AAP Rajya Sabha member of Parliament and former chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), had on May 13 alleged that Bibhav Kumar had assaulted. She claimed the incident occurred inside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. Bibhav Kumar is a close aide of Kejriwal and had been visiting Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh with him for election campaigning before his arrest in Delhi.

A lot has happened in the case since then, with Swati Maliwal vanishing for three days. She emerged when the Delhi Police visited her residence to file a complaint, and a first information report was filed soon after.

The Delhi police recreated the alleged scene of crime at the CM’s residence on May 17. 

Atishi said that Bibhav Kumar had filed a plea for anticipatory bail before the Tis Hazari court, and that an urgent hearing was held in the court on Saturday, May 18. Bibhav Kumar was arrested soon after on the same day. 

"The court commenced the hearing on his plea at 3:55 pm and within 20 minutes, the Delhi Police arrested him at the Civil Lines police station. As soon as his lawyers began arguments, the police learnt that their case is weak and Kumar would get relief. So they arrested Kumar," claimed Atishi.

Soon after, the court observed that Bibhav Kumar's anticipatory bail plea has become "infructuous" after his arrest.

What did Atishi say about Swati Maliwal?

Atishi reiterated what she said in her press conference on May 17 that the case by Swati Maliwal was false. She also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it is a conspiracy by the party against AAP.

“Since the morning, many rumours have been circulating regarding Bibhav. Their intent is to disturb our political campaign. Considering it to be an urgent matter, the hearing took place today itself. As soon as the lawyers of Bibhav started their arguments, it was clear that Bibhav's case was strong. This case is false. The Swati Maliwal case is all false,” said Atishi in the press conference today.

“The videos of Swati, which came out, state the reality. Today, BJP and ‘their’ Delhi Police showed the nation that their case is weak,” added Atishi.

The AAP handle on social media platform X tweeted soon after the press conference in Hindi, “दिल्ली पुलिस ने आज स्वाति मालीवाल जी के फर्जी मुकदमे के मामले में @ArvindKejriwal जी के PA विभव कुमार जी को सवाल-जवाब के लिए बुलाया। इसके बाद सुबह से ही समाचार चैनलों पर चलने लगा कि उन्हें गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया है। इससे BJP की साजिश का खुलासा हो गया। इन लोगों का हमारे चुनाव प्रचार और अरविंद केजरीवाल जी को Disturb करने का इरादा है।” (“Today, Delhi Police called @ArvindKejriwal ji's PA Bibhav Kumar ji for questioning in the matter of a fake case filed by Swati Maliwal ji. After this, since this morning, it was being shown on news channels that Bibhav has been arrested. This exposes the conspiracy of the BJP. These people intend to disturb our election campaign and Arvind Kejriwal ji.”)

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders at BJP HQ tomorrow

Atishi further said, "Even they knew that their case was weak and if the case was heard, Bibhav Kumar would get bail. That is why tomorrow (Sunday, May 19), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will lead all AAP leaders and to the BJP headquarters and court arrest." 

Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal said AAP leaders and he would go to the BJP headquarters on Sunday "so that the prime minister can send anyone he wants to jail".