A heated conflict erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal following the release of a mobile phone video allegedly depicting an incident of assault against her at the Delhi Chief Minister's residence.
AAP's Response
The AAP labeled the video as the truth about Swati Maliwal and asserted that it substantiated her involvement in a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP. Atishi, an AAP leader and Delhi minister, accused Maliwal of being the face and pawn of this plot, claiming that the release of the footage was an attempt to deflect blame from the BJP.
Saurabh Bhardwaj, another AAP minister, highlighted alleged discrepancies between the details provided in Maliwal's complaint and the video's contents. He questioned the absence of any mention of physical assault and pointed out that the police officers in the footage were not from the AAP but rather from the Delhi Police. Bhardwaj also criticized Maliwal for not seeking medical attention on the day of the alleged attack, despite the police's recommendation.
Maliwal's Defense
Maliwal vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the video was released without context and that the true account would emerge upon examination of CCTV footage from the residence. She accused those involved of attempting to shield themselves by tarnishing her reputation.
Hitting out at her party's U-turn, Maliwal accused them of succumbing to pressure from a goon (Bibhav Kumar) who threatened to expose secrets if arrested. She asserted that the entire party had questioned her character under this individual's influence.
Details of the FIR
The FIR filed in the case alleges that Kumar slapped Maliwal multiple times and kicked her in the abdomen and pelvis, causing injuries. Maliwal claimed that she was later thrown out of the premises by security staff. The charges against Kumar include assault, criminal intimidation, and wrongful confinement.
Independent Verification
India Today's attempts to independently verify the authenticity of the video have been unsuccessful.
