SC grants bail to Kejriwal aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Bibhav Kumar, the personal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the Swati Maliwal assault case.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that Kumar has been in custody for over 100 days and noted that the prosecution has proposed to examine more than 51 witnesses, indicating that the trial will take time to conclude.

The court also took into petitioner, who is personal secretary to Delhi chief minister, assaulted the complainantvictim who is a Rajya Sabha MP... Investigation in the case is complete. Chargesheet has been filed. We are not inclined to hear on the point as to where prima facie offence is made out. It's exclusive domain of trial court," the bench said.

The court also took into account the fact that the chargesheet in the case has already been filed, and therefore, Kumar's release will not cause any prejudice to the investigation.

“Allegations are that the petitioner, who is personal secretary to Delhi chief minister, assaulted the complainantvictim who is a Rajya Sabha MP... Investigation in the case is complete. Chargesheet has been filed. We are not inclined to hear on the point as to where prima facie offence is made out. It’s exclusive domain of trial court,” the bench said.