Delhi Police sources said that the delay is attributed to the need for further investigation following Aam Aadmi Party‘s (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal’s statement to the magistrate, where she purportedly indicated a meeting with Kejriwal’s parents and wife before the alleged assault incident occurred.
“She came out after meeting them. That’s why we are asking for time of two days to take their statement,” the sources explained.
Meanwhile, chief minister Kejriwal expressed uncertainty regarding the police’s impending visit. He said he is waiting for the police and has not been informed yet whether they will come or not.
“I am waiting for the police with my parents and wife. Yesterday the police called my parents and asked for time for interrogation. But they have not given any information yet whether they will come or not,” the Delhi CM posted on X.
The AAP leadership, including Delhi minister Atishi, vehemently condemned the Delhi Police’s purported move to interrogate Kejriwal’s elderly parents, questioning the moral standards of such actions. Atishi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of orchestrating a politically motivated vendetta, targeting not only Kejriwal but also his ailing parents.
Highlighting the health challenges faced by Kejriwal’s parents, Atishi denounced the alleged harassment, citing the fragility of their condition.
Atishi said, “Today, when violence is being inflicted upon the parents of Arvind Kejriwal, and Delhi Police are being called to interrogate his elderly and ailing parents, I believe that all limits have been crossed. CM Arvind Kejriwal‘s mother is 76 years old and she has been in the hospital for a long time before her arrest.”
“Her condition is such that she can hardly walk and cannot leave her room. His father is 85 years old, unable to walk without support, with impaired vision and hearing,” she added.
“I have full confidence that the people of Delhi will respond to this persecution of Arvind Kejriwal and his elderly and sick parents with their votes,” Atishi asserted, rallying support against what she perceives as unjust tactics aimed at destabilizing the AAP leadership.
“We are waiting for the police to arrive. This is also a matter of concern for us because if elderly and sick parents are being called for interrogation, mentally harassing them, then this is a matter of concern for us as well,” she added.
Atishi further lambasted the Delhi Police, accusing them of political alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and insinuating collusion in the alleged conspiracy against Kejriwal.
“Delhi police had said that they will interrogate Kejriwal’s parents. Everyone knows that the Delhi Police is a political tool of the BJP, working on BJP’s orders. The whole incident is a BJP conspiracy, and BJP should also be asked now because deals have been made with Swati Maliwal under which a whole conspiracy has been hatched,” Atishi said.
A case was filed against Bibhav Kumar and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the case based on Maliwal’s complaint. Bibhav was arrested by the Delhi Police on Sunday, May 19, and is currently in police custody.
Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint against Maliwal accusing her of forced and illegal entry into the CM’s entrance.
(With inputs from agencies)