Swati Maliwal Assault Case: Delhi LG Slams Arvind Kejriwal's Silence, AAP Says It Proves Rajya Sabha MP Working For BJP

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has expressed support for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal, who is in a conflict with her party following an alleged assault by a close aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence.

In response, AAP claimed that the Lieutenant Governor's statement proves Maliwal is "working for the BJP" as per a report by NDTV.

Saxena, who has had numerous disputes with the AAP government over various issues, stated that he was "deeply distressed" by the media narrative on the incident.

"Yesterday, she [Maliwal] called me in sheer anguish, describing her traumatic experience and the subsequent intimidation and shaming by her colleagues. She also expressed concerns over reported tampering of evidence and coercion against her," Saxena said.

Despite Maliwal's frequent and harsh criticism of him, Saxena condemned any physical violence or harassment against her as "inexcusable and unacceptable."

He found it "most disturbing" that the alleged assault occurred in the Chief Minister's drawing room while Kejriwal was at home.

Saxena highlighted that AAP MP Sanjay Singh initially confirmed Maliwal's account and assured that firm action would be taken against the aide, only for the party to later reverse its stance, which Saxena found "inexplicable and baffling."

Saxena also criticised Kejriwal for his silence on the matter, stating it "speaks volumes of his stance on women's safety."

AAP initially stated that Kejriwal had directed strict action against Kumar but later alleged that the BJP was using Maliwal in a conspiracy against them.

Delhi minister Atishi mentioned that the BJP's anti-corruption bureau had filed a case against Maliwal for the illegal recruitment of contractual employees in the Delhi Commission for Women, suggesting that this was part of a conspiracy.

On Sunday, Kejriwal led a protest march to the BJP headquarters, alleging that Kumar's arrest was part of the BJP's 'Operation Jhadoo' aimed at jailing AAP leaders to crush the party. He did not directly address Maliwal's allegations.

The BJP countered by saying that while Kejriwal protested for his aide accused of assaulting a woman MP from his party, he did not do the same for his jailed colleagues Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.