Swati Maliwal blackmailed by BJP to lead conspiracy against Arvind Kejriwal: AAP

Senior AAP leader Atishi addresses a press conference on MP Swati Maliwal issue in Delhi. Pic/PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested Saturday in connection with the alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal, even as the party claimed she was "blackmailed" by the BJP as she faces a corruption case.

Kumar was picked up from the chief minister's residence by a Delhi Police team, a senior police officer said, a day after Maliwal recorded her statement before a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court. "He will be produced before a court and police will seek his custody for further interrogation," the officer told the media.

Maliwal has alleged that the CM's aide attacked her with full force, slapping her in the face and kicking her in the chest and abdomen on May 13 when she had gone to meet the chief minister. Police said that they had recorded the statement of at least 10 people, including security personnel and other staff at the chief minister's residence, who were present at the time of the alleged assault.

Earlier in the day, Bibhav Kumar wrote to police, saying that he is ready to cooperate in their investigation, but they should also consider his complaint against Maliwal, in which he alleged that Maliwal breached the security of the CM's residence to gain unauthorised entry and created a ruckus there. The CM's aide also alleged that when he tried to stop her she hurled abuses at him.

Senior AAP leader Atishi said that if the Delhi Police is impartial, it should also register an FIR on Kumar's complaint, while addressing a press conference in Delhi. She told the media, "The BJP
has a pattern. First they file cases and then threaten to send leaders to jail. Swati

Maliwal is facing charges in an illegal recruitment case registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch. An FIR has been registered in the case and it is at a stage where she could be arrested."