The AAP has refuted claims of assault on party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar on Friday stating that it is a BJP conspiracy to frame AAP Chief. Meanwhile, Maliwal attacked the AAP for taking a U-turn, stating that the party is under pressure from Kumar.

In a press conference, senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said Maliwal is the "face" of this, terming allegations levelled by her against Kumar "baseless". The remarks come a day after the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, for allegedly assaulting Maliwal at the chief minister's official residence. She had reached the CM's residence without an appointment and her intention was to level allegations against Kejriwal, senior AAP leader Atishi alleged at a press conference.

"Today a video has surfaced that has exposed the lie of Maliwal. In her FIR, she has said she was brutally assaulted and she was in pain, and buttons of her shirt were torn. A video that has surfaced shows an entirely different reality," Atishi said.

This comes days after on Tuesday senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh confirmed that Kumar misbehaved with Maliwal. According to the FIR, Maliwal was "kicked and slapped seven to eight times" allegedly by Kumar. The FIR also stated that Kumar "did not relent" despite her asking him to stop.

When Atishi was asked about Singh accepting misbehaviour with Maliwal and calling it "highly condemnable", Atishi said, "AAP MP Sanjay Singh met Maliwal and he had only her version. But now this video has brought out the truth."

Hitting at the party for its renewed claims, Maliwal in a tweet said, The leaders who joined the party yesterday declared a 20-year old worker as a BJP agent. Two days ago the party had accepted the truth in the PC and today it has taken a U-turn. This goon is threatening the party, if I get arrested I will reveal all the secrets. That is why he is roaming around in Lucknow and everywhere seeking shelter.”

Claiming there is pressure from Kumar, she stated, “Today, under his pressure, the party gave in and to save a goon, my character was questioned by the entire party. No problem, I have been fighting alone for the women of the entire country, I will fight for myself too. Do character assassination as much as possible, the truth will come out when the time comes!”

The former Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has also claimed that Kumar hit her with "full force again and again" but no one came to her rescue. She also alleged that despite telling Kumar that she was menstruating and in pain, he did not budge.