Worried for Maliwal's safety, she must speak up: NCW chief on assault incident

Amid the controversy over the incident that transpired with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at Arvind Kejriwal's residence, National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma has said she is concerned about Maliwal's safety and asked her to speak up.

On Monday (May 13), Maliwal claimed she was allegedly assaulted by an aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. 

The NCW chairperson wondered if Maliwal was under pressure not to lodge a complaint to the police in the matter. "I am worried about the safety of @SwatiJaiHind... what pressure is she under that she is unable to come forward and file a complaint with police. Be brave Swati #speakup," she said in a post on X.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh had said on Tuesday that CM Kejriwal's PS Bibhav Kumar "misbehaved" with Maliwal on Monday at the CM's residence and the AAP supremo will take strict action in the matter.

Singh's statement at a press conference came a day after Maliwal, who is a former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, went to the Civil Lines Police Station and alleged that a member of Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted' her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said.

The police said that they had not yet received a formal complaint. 

(With inputs from agencies)