‘We Grant Bail To Killers But…’: Supreme Court On Bibhav Kumar Bail Plea

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to Delhi Police regarding a bail plea by Bibhav Kumar, an aide of AAP leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kumar was arrested in May following assault allegations by AAP MP Swati Maliwal.

Previously denied bail by the Delhi High Court and a trial court, his next hearing is on August 7. Mr. Kumar, held in judicial custody until July 16, faces charges including criminal intimidation, assault with intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Additional charges include “disappearing evidence and giving false information.” During a brief hearing, the court noted, “We normally grant bail… even to murderers and killers,” but expressed concerns about witness influence, referencing the FIR where Ms. Maliwal was reportedly crying during the assault.

The bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned, “If this kind of person can’t influence witnesses, who can?” They expressed skepticism about the absence of witnesses from the Chief Minister’s drawing room where the alleged assault began and labeled Mr. Kumar a “goon.”

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kumar, raised concerns about the delay in Ms. Maliwal’s complaint and questioned the “strange story” in her FIR.