उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली

I have been deeply distressed over the unfolding media narrative over the last few days on the issue of alleged assault on Ms. Swati Maliwal, MP, Aam Admi Party, at the residence of Chief Minister, when she went there to meet him all alone. Yesterday, she called me out of sheer anguish, describing at length her traumatic experience, and the subsequent intimidation and shaming that she is being subjected to by her own colleagues. She also expressed concerns over reported tampering of evidence and coercion against her. 

Although Ms. Maliwal has been vociferous, hostile and blatantly partisan towards me and my office, often criticizing me unjustifiably,  yet any physical violence and hounding perpetrated on her are inexcusable and unacceptable. 

It is most disturbing to note that the alleged scene of crime was the drawing room of the Chief Minister, even while he was present in the house, and the same was carried out by his closest aide on a lady who was alone. Her fellow member of Rajya Sabha confirmed her narrative in full media glare, and assured that the CM would take firm action against the culprit-his aide. Subsequently, a total U turn was done in the matter, apparently at the behest of the highest functionary. This too is inexplicable and baffling.   

I would have expected that at least for the sake of propriety, my CM would have come clean, rather than being evasive and dodgy. His deafening silence speaks volumes of his stance on safety of women.

Delhi is the national capital and is home to the entire diplomatic community from around the world. Such shameful incidents and the insensitive and conspiratorial contemptuous government response, on an issue of women safety, tarnishes India’s image worldwide. Had such an incident happened in any other Chief Minister’s residence in the country, external forces with vested interests, inimical to India, would have unleashed a scathing global narrative around women safety in India. The absence of any outrage in this case leaves several questions unanswered. 

Delhi Police is investigating the matter and I assure that the matter will be brought to its logical conclusion. 

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