New Delhi: Police Retrieve Data from Formatted Phone of Delhi CM’s Aide in Assault Case
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal, was taken to Mumbai to retrieve data from his formatted phone, police reported on Tuesday.
Kumar is currently in a five-day police custody in connection with the alleged assault on Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP, which reportedly occurred at the Delhi CM’s residence.
According to the police, Kumar had formatted his phone after transferring its data to another person or device in Mumbai. Although his phone was seized following his arrest, it was discovered to have been formatted.
A five-member police team arrived at the Mumbai airport around 4:30 PM with Kumar. They escorted him to several locations, including the place where he stayed before traveling to Delhi on May 18.
Kumar’s phones, laptop, and CCTV recordings have been sent for forensic examination, as stated by a police officer. The officer also mentioned that with Kumar’s police custody ending on Thursday, investigators are working to gather all evidence related to the case.
Maliwal has alleged that she was assaulted by Kumar, Kejriwal’s personal assistant, when she visited the CM’s residence on May 13. Based on her complaint, the police have charged Kumar under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) at the Civil Lines police station.
A team led by a female additional DCP-level officer is investigating the case.
In a counter-complaint to the police, Kumar accused Maliwal of breaching the security of the CM’s residence, forcibly gaining access, and creating a disturbance. Kumar claimed that when he attempted to stop her, she verbally abused him and intended to physically assault him. He further alleged that Maliwal is trying to falsely implicate him to exert undue pressure.
