Delhi Court Allows Arvind Kejriwal’s Aide Bibhav Kumar to Travel to Sri Lanka for Vacation

The Court observed there was no material to suggest he posed a flight risk.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Bhupinder Singh, in an order passed on July 7, allowed Kumar to visit Sri Lanka from August 13 to 22, noting that the accused has not violated bail conditions since his release and has a right and duty towards his family.

“Accused has not only the right but also duty towards his family for taking them for a family vacation. There may not be necessary/emergency requirement, as has been contended in the reply filed by the Additional DCP, North,” the Court said.

The Court further observed that Kumar had previously been granted a no-objection certificate for passport renewal, which went unchallenged by the prosecution. “No such conduct of the accused has been brought to the notice of the court, since he was released on bail, that may dissuade this court to consider the prayer made by the accused to travel abroad,” the Court noted.

The Court also clarified that the next hearing in the matter is scheduled well after the proposed travel dates, and hence, there is no risk of the accused evading court proceedings.

As part of the permission, Kumar has been directed to furnish a fixed deposit receipt of Rs. 5 lakh and inform the court of his return to India within 72 hours.

The Court made it clear that no extension of his stay abroad would be entertained.

Kumar is accused of assaulting Swati Maliwal on May 13, 2024, at Kejriwal’s then official residence.

An FIR was lodged against him on May 16 under IPC sections dealing with criminal intimidation, assault on a woman with intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. He was arrested on May 18 and later granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024.