The Delhi High Court has transferred the plea challenging the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s close aide Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case to the roster bench hearing cases involving Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MPs/MLAs).

 

Justice Navin Chawla directed that the case can be heard by the judge assigned to MP/MLA matters, as the complainant in the case is a Rajya Sabha member. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, the roster judge for criminal cases involving sitting and former MPs/MLAs, is expected to hear the matter later today.

 

In his petition, Kumar has urged the High Court to declare his arrest unlawful, asserting that the authorities did not adhere to the legal standards mandated by the Supreme Court.

 

A Delhi court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of Kumar in this case. He is currently in judicial custody. During the hearing, Maliwal broke down in the courtroom alleging character assassination and life threats being given to her.

 

Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18 in connection with the assault on Maliwal on May 13 and produced late at night before a local court which sent him to five days under police custody.