DELHI Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested on Saturday in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal, even as the party claimed she was“blackmailed” by the BJP as she faces a corruption case. Kumar was picked up from the Chief Minister’s residence by a Delhi Police team, a senior police officer said, a day after Maliwal recorded her statement before a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court. Maliwal has alleged that the CM’s aide attacked her with full force, slapping her in the face and kicking her in the chest and abdomen on May 13 when she had gone to meet the Chief Minister. A senior police officer said, Kumar was arrested from the Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday.

 

The officersaid Kumar had gone there inthe morning to meet Kejriwal “He will be produced beforeacourt andpolicewill seek his custody for further interrogation,” the officer said. Police said they have recorded the statement of at least 10 people, including security personnel and other staff atthe chiefminister’s residence, whowerepresent at the time of the alleged assault on May 13. Earlier in the day, Bibhav Kumar wrote to police, saying that he is ready to cooperate in their investigation, butthey should also consider his complaint against Maliwal. On Friday, Kumar filed a police complaint, alleging Maliwal breached the security of the CM’s residence to gain unauthorised entry on May 13 and created a ruckus there. The CM’s aide also alleged that when he tried to stop her she hurled abuses at him. Senior AAP leader Atishi addressedapressconference here in which she said if the Delhi Police is impartial, it should also register an FIR on Kumar’s complaint. Talking to PTI Videos, Atishi claimed the former DCW chief faces arrest in an illegal recruitment case and shewas“blackmailed”bythe BJPtobecomepart of a“conspiracy” against Kejriwal.