In a distressing development, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has reported receiving rape and death threats following what she describes as a “character assassination” campaign. It has been orchestrated by party leaders and volunteers. The situation escalated further after YouTuber Dhruv Rathee posted a one-sided video against her.
Maliwal, in a detailed post on X on Sunday, expressed her dismay over the turn of events. She stated,
“After the leaders and volunteers of my party, i.e., AAP orchestrated a campaign of character assassination, victim shaming, and fanning of emotions against me, I have been getting rape and death threats. This got further exacerbated when YouTuber @Dhruv_Rathee posted a one-sided video against me.”
Swati Maliwal Vs Dhruv Rathee
Swati Maliwal accused the AAP leadership of trying to intimidate her into withdrawing her complaint and expressed her disappointment with Dhruv Rathee. According to her, despite multiple attempts to contact him and present her side of the story, Rathee ignored her calls and messages. She criticized him for acting like an AAP spokesperson. Rathee is contributing to the victim-shaming that has led to her receiving extreme abuses and threats.
“It is shameful that people like him, who claim to be independent journalists, could act like other AAP spokespersons and victim-shame me to the extent that I am now facing extreme abuses and threats,” Maliwal stated.
Key Points Neglected in Rathee’s Video
Maliwal listed several crucial points she felt were neglected in Rathee’s video:
- AAP’s U-turn on the Incident: She highlighted that the AAP initially accepted the incident but later changed its stance.
- Medical Legal Case (MLC) Report: The report revealed injuries due to the assault.
- Selective Video Release: Only selected parts of the video were released, and the accused’s phone was formatted afterward.
- Accused’s Access to CM’s Residence: The accused, arrested at the crime scene, was later allowed to re-enter the premises, raising questions about potential evidence tampering.
- Her Advocacy History: She questioned how a woman who has consistently stood for the right issues and even visited Manipur alone without security could be accused of being bought over by the BJP.
Safety Concerns For Swati Maliwal
Maliwal has reported the threats to the Delhi Police, urging them to take strong action against the perpetrators. She concluded her statement with a poignant note, “In any case, if something happens to me, we know who instigated it.”
Legal Proceedings Against Bibhav Kumar
In connection with the assault on Maliwal at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on May 13, Bibhav Kumar, a former personal secretary to Kejriwal, was arrested on May 18. Kumar has since sought bail. The court has issued a notice to Delhi Police, seeking their reply.
Swati Maliwal’s case calls for a thorough investigation and swift justice to ensure her safety and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.