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Swati Maliwal

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Swati Maliwal
Maliwal in January 2015
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 January 2024
Preceded bySushil Kumar Gupta
ConstituencyDelhi
Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women
In office
July 2015 – 19 January 2024
Personal details
Born (1984-10-15) 15 October 1984 (age 40)
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political partyAam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Spouse
Naveen Jaihind
​
(m. 2012⁠–⁠2020)​
Profession

Swati Maliwal (born 15 October 1984) is a social activist and politician. She currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Delhi. She participated in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare and later, served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) from 2015 to 2024.

Early and personal life

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Maliwal was born in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on 15 October 1984. Her father was an officer of the Indian Armed Forces and her mother was Sangita Maliwal.[1] She later said that she faced sexual abuse at the hands of her father, leading to a troubled childhood.[2] She went to Amity International School and received a bachelor's degree in Information Technology from the JSS Academy of Technical Education.[1]

On 23 January 2012, she married Naveen Jaihind, whom she had met during the early days of the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare.[1] Later, Naveen became a politician, representing the Aam Aadmi Party.[3] The couple divorced in February 2020.[4]

Social and political life

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After her education, she joined a Non-governmental organization named "Parivartan" which was founded by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia among others.[5][6] She worked in grass-roots campaigns across India, as a part of the organization.[7][8] In 2011, Maliwal was one of the committee that organized the India Against Corruption movement led by activist Anna Hazare, which later led to the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill.[9]

Malliwal with Rajnath Singh, then Minister of Home Affairs in 2015

She was appointed as the chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) in July 2015.[10][11] She was one of the youngest to lead the women's commission.[12] She advocated for the passage of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which allowed minors from the ages of 16-18 years, to be tried as adults in case of heinous crimes.[13] During her tenure as the chairperson of DCW, she demanded greater accountability of Delhi police, which resulted in putting the commission in loggerheads with the police department.[14][15]

Malliwal (right most) with Maneka Gandhi (third from left), then Minister of Women and Child Development in 2015

In 2016, based on a petition by the commission, the Delhi High Court directed all police stations in Delhi to install CCTV cameras on their premises.[16] In December 2016, based on the direction of the Delhi High Court on a petition by the DCW, a special task force on women safety was constituted in Delhi.[17] In 2017, following the commission's request, Delhi police officers were asked to wear body cameras while on duty, to improve their accountability and reduce chances of misconduct.[18]

In April 2018, she went on a 10-day hunger strike demanding several reforms including the passage of laws mandating death penalty for individuals who rape children, recruiting police under the United Nations standards and more accountability of the police.[19][20][21] In 2019, she went on another hunger strike demanding expedited justice to rape survivors, correct utilization of Nirbhaya Fund and additional police resources to handle crimes against women.[22][23][24] She organized multiple campaigns and protests, advocating for time-bound stringent punishment for rapists and women safety.[25][26]

In 2019, she led a 13-day march, covering crime-prone areas of Delhi to raise awareness about gender-based violence among local communities and register grievances.[27][28] In November 2020, the DCW under Malliwal was involved in rescuing girls from child traffickers in Jharkhand.[29] During the 2023–2024 Manipur violence, Maliwal visited the state in July 2023 to gather details and sent her recommendations to the President of India.[30][31]

During her tenure, the commission handled more than 1.7 lakh cases of domestic violence, rape and other crimes against women.[32] During her tenure, over 50,000 Mahila Panchayats were organized which served as community meetings for dispute resolution. Crisis Intervention Centre (CIC) and Rape Crisis Cell (RCC) were established, which provided medical attention, legal support and counseling to rape survivors.[33][34] During her tenure, the DCW also addressed child trafficking and acid attack cases, which led to a passage of new laws regulating the working of spas, rehabilitation and free treatment for acid attack victims, as well as the ban of the retail sale of acid.[35][36][37][38]

In January 2024, she was elected as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Delhi.[39][40]

Allegation of assault

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On 13 May 2024, Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted by Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, at the Chief Minister's residence.[41][42] Maliwal reported the incident to the Police Control Room, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the Delhi Police on 16 May.[43][44] The FIR included charges such as criminal intimidation, assault with intent to disrobe a woman, and an attempt to commit culpable homicide.[45]

Maliwal's statement was formally recorded, and an investigation was initiated by the Delhi Police. On 18 May 2024, Kumar was arrested. Kumar, in his defense, claimed that Maliwal had unlawfully entered the Chief Minister's residence, causing a security breach and interfering with the duties of security personnel. However, the Delhi Police dismissed these claims as fabricated.[46][47]

The Delhi Police alleged that a larger conspiracy was at play in the assault. They highlighted that Kumar had spent a considerable amount of time at the crime scene after the incident.[48] Additionally, they noted that CCTV footage from the residence was selectively leaked to the media before being handed over to the police. This selective leak, the police argued, was an attempt to influence public opinion against Maliwal and the case. The police also stated that the Chief Minister Kejriwal was also present at the crime scene with Kumar immediately following the incident.[49][50]

During the court proceedings, Kumar was represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who argued in his defense against the charges.[51] The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, expressed shock over the incident, verbally referring to Kumar as a "goon" and disapproving of his conduct.[52]

On 2 September 2024, Bibhav Kumar was granted bail. Following the bail order, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Arvind Kejriwal, posted a tweet stating "Sukoon" (relief), which was criticized by Maliwal as a display of support for Kumar in the assault case.[53][54]

The court imposed strict conditions on Kumar's bail. He was barred from being reinstated as the Personal Secretary to the Chief Minister or holding any political office associated with the Chief Minister's office. Additionally, Kumar was prohibited from entering the Chief Minister's residence until all witnesses in the case had been examined.[55][56]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Lady Singham or Drama Queen? How 'Reluctant' Neta Swati Maliwal is Set to Change AAP's Rajya Sabha Fortunes". News18. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Sexually abused by my father when I was a child: DCW chief Swati Maliwal". The Indian Express. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Naveen Jaihind is AAP's LS candidate from Rohtak". Hindustan Times. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ "My fairytale ended: DCW chief Swati Maliwal announces divorce from AAP leader Naveen Jaihind on Twitter". India Today. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ Meera Johri (2010). Greatness of Spirit: Profiles of Indian Magsaysay Award Winners. Rajpal & Sons. pp. 199–. ISBN 978-81-7028-858-9.
  6. ^ "Who is DCW chief Swati Maliwal nominated for Rajya Sabha by AAP?". DNA India. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  7. ^ "DCW Chief Swati Maliwal is all for a change". India Today. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Muzaffarpur shelter abuse case: Wouldn't you have taken action if any of the victims was your daughter, DCW chief asks Nitish". The Indian Express. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Anti Corruption movement a watershed in India". Mint. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Swati Maliwal Takes Charge as DCW Chief". The Pioneer. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal Rejects Charges of Nepotism Over Appointing Women's Commission Chief". NDTV. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ^ Safi, Michael (5 May 2017). "Her pain should be our pain': the woman tackling Delhi's rape crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Midnight Drama to Halt Juvenile Release: SC to Hear Plea on 21st". The Quint. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Women Commission summons Delhi top cop for not sharing data". Deccan Chronicle. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Accountability of Delhi Police should be fixed: DCW to MHA in Kanjhawala case". The Print. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  16. ^ "SC directs all States & UTs to install CCTV Cameras in all Police Stations". 2 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Special task force for women safety reconstituted : Delhi High Court". The Indian Express. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  18. ^ "No CCTV no problem: Delhi Police to get body cameras to record criminal activity". India Today. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  19. ^ Manveena Suri (18 April 2018). "Indian women's commissioner on hunger strike over rape laws". CNN. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  20. ^ "DCW chief Swati Maliwal ends hunger strike after 10 days". The Indian Express. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Swati Maliwal: Call to speed up child rape executions in India". BBC News. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Hyderabad rape-murder: Main accused dodged officials hours before crime". The Times of India. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  23. ^ "DCW chief Swati Maliwal sits on hunger strike; demands capital punishment for rapists". The Hindu. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  24. ^ Tripathi, Rahul (24 February 2020). "Centre goes through AP Disha Bill to ensure conformity with law". The Economic Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Delhi Commission For Women Alleges Its Chief Manhandled By Police". NDTV. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Satyagraha over death penalty for child rapists". Business Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Swati Maliwal Launches 13-Day "Padyatra" For Women Safety In Delhi". NDTV. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  28. ^ "13-day march to cover Delhi for women's safety". The Times of India. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Jharkhand: Girls rescued by DCW and other agencies sent back with help of CM Hemant Soren". Times Now. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  30. ^ "DCW chief Maliwal meets families of women stripped, paraded in Manipur". Business Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Sack Biren Singh: Delhi women's body chief sends President Murmu Manipur report". India Today. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Delhi Commission for Women dealt with over 1.7 lakh cases under Swati Maliwal, says report". The Indian Express. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Delhi Commission for Women highlights transformative efforts under leadership of chairperson Swati Maliwal". Millennium Post. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Delhi govt approves Victim Compensation Scheme". India Today. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Crackdown on illegal sale of acid in Delhi, over 100 raids conducted in past 10 days". Business Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Delhi civic body bans acid for toilet cleaning after women's panel's notice". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Free treatment for acid attack victims in private hospitals, announces Delhi govt". The Hindustan Times. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Government issues strict SOPs for massage centres and spas in Delhi". The Indian Express. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  39. ^ "AAP Leader Swati Maliwal Takes Oath As Rajya Sabha MP From Delhi". The Quint. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  40. ^ "AAP members Sanjay Singh, Swati Maliwal and ND Gupta elected to Rajya Sabha". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal aide booked for assault after Swati Maliwal files police complaint". The Indian Express. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Swati Maliwal Alleges Assault At Delhi CM Kajriwal's Residence, BJP Criticizes Party's Handling". The Indian Express. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Swati Maliwal files police complaint, says Bibhav Kumar attacked me with full force again and again". The Hindu. 17 May 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  44. ^ Dutta, Alisha (16 May 2024). "AAP MP Swati Maliwal 'assault' case: Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar booked". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  45. ^ "Swati Maliwal assault case: Chargesheet filed against Delhi CM Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar". The Indian Express. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  46. ^ "Swati Maliwal assault case: Bibhav Kumar files complaint against AAP MP for security breach, creating ruckus". Financialexpress. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  47. ^ Staff, Scroll (24 August 2024). "Larger conspiracy behind assault on Swati Maliwal by Kejriwal's aide: Delhi Police to Supreme Court". Scroll.in. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  48. ^ "Police indicate possibility of larger conspiracy in Maliwal 'assault' case, presence of Bibhav Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal at the CM House". The Indian Express. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  49. ^ "Larger conspiracy behind Swati Maliwal assault, Delhi Police submits in Supreme Court". The Hindu. 23 August 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  50. ^ "Kicked repeatedly in chest, stomach and pelvic area: The full story on Swati Maliwal-Bibhav Kumar assault case". The Economic Times. 17 May 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  51. ^ Mohanty, Suchitra Kalyan (8 August 2024). "Swati Maliwal assault case: SC directs Delhi police to file reply on Bibhav's plea by Aug 21". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  52. ^ "'Bibhav Kumar not ashamed': SC pulls up Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide". The Economic Times. 1 August 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  53. ^ "'Clear message to ...': Swati Maliwal slams Sunita Kejriwal over her post on Bibhav Kumar". The Times of India. 4 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  54. ^ "'Clear message to ...': Swati Maliwal slams Sunita Kejriwal over her post on Bibhav Kumar". The Times of India. 4 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  55. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar granted bail in Swati Maliwal assault case". The Hindu. 2 September 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  56. ^ ""Can't Enter...": Supreme Court's Conditions For Bail To Arvind Kejriwal Aide Bibhav Kumar". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
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