New Delhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said that no one should obstruct the investigation into the alleged attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal. He said that an investigation is needed to find out who was present at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence at the time of the incident and what was their role.
Union Minister Smriti Irani said in a press conference here, “Who all were present at Kejriwal’s residence, what was their role and what they saw when Maliwal was being beaten up, these are part of the investigation. I am a spokesperson of the BJP, not the police. I will only request that no one should obstruct the investigation.” Irani was responding to a question about the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) attack on the BJP over the Delhi Police’s move to question Kejriwal’s parents on the issue.
He said the fact that Kejriwal was seen travelling with the accused and his associate Bibhav Kumar indicated to whom his loyalty lay in the case. He questioned, “Can justice be expected from him?” Taking a dig at the Delhi Chief Minister, the senior BJP leader asked how can Kejriwal speak on women’s safety in the country when a woman member of his party is not safe at his own residence. Kejriwal had said on Wednesday that he expects a fair investigation in the case and justice should be done.
AAP Rajya Sabha member Maliwal has alleged that Kejriwal’s personal assistant Kumar ‘attacked’ her when she went to meet the Chief Minister on May 13. The police have registered a case and arrested Kumar in this connection. Irani also urged people in the press conference to read the Delhi High Court order denying bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case.
He said that the court made three main observations which strengthen the corruption charges against Sisodia and other accused. The court has said that a prima facie case is made out against the AAP leader and he misused his position in the government for corruption. Irani, citing the court’s order, said that he also destroyed evidence and he is capable of pressurizing witnesses. He claimed that Sisodia also played an important role along with Kejriwal in this scam.
He alleged that the party which came to power in the name of change and service has been exposed as to how it looted the government treasury.
Delhi Police deferred questioning of Kejriwal’s parents in Maliwal assault case
Delhi Police will not go to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on Thursday to question his parents in the case of alleged “assault” on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. Sources gave this information. Kejriwal had said on Wednesday that the police will come to question his old and sick parents on Thursday. Police has already arrested Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar in this case.
Sources said that the police may go to Kejriwal’s residence for questioning in the coming days but they are not going there on Thursday. Sources said that the police may also question Kejriwal in the coming days. Kejriwal said in a post on the social media platform ‘X’, “I am waiting for the police with my parents and wife. Yesterday the police called and asked for time to question my parents. But they have not given any information yet whether they will come or not.” Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is harassing Kejriwal’s parents through the police.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi said, “Ever since Arvind Kejriwal got bail, the BJP has gone berserk. They are attacking and plotting against Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party. But today they crossed all limits after the Delhi Police called Arvind Kejriwal’s parents for questioning.” The party’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said, “The BJP has stooped so low that it is using the Delhi Police to harass Kejriwal’s ailing and elderly parents. His father is 84 years old. He cannot walk without support and has a hearing problem. His mother also has a hearing problem. People will answer this through their votes.”