Guwahati: Social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was arrested by Delhi Police on Saturday in connection with the alleged assault of a minor activist’s father during a protest at Jantar Mantar and was subsequently remanded to one-day police custody.
Bhardwaj, who was detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on Friday, was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler at his residence on Saturday afternoon. His legal aid counsel appeared through video conferencing, while the accused was originally expected to be presented at the Patiala House court complex.
The case stems from an alleged altercation during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, where Sanjay Kumar, the father of a minor student activist, suffered head injuries. Police had initially registered a case in connection with the incident, naming Bhardwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar.
The matter gained renewed attention after a video clip from an interview circulated on social media in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of the protester’s father. He later maintained that he had acted in self-defence.
Delhi Police, however, has disputed claims that Kumar suffered a skull fracture, saying an earlier medical assessment described his injuries as simple and attributed them to a steel bracelet. The police have said further investigation will determine whether more serious charges, including an attempt-to-murder provision, are warranted.
The police have also strengthened the case by adding provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the original FIR. The additions followed demands from CJP representatives and opposition leaders for stronger legal action.
A separate FIR has also been registered against Bhardwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following a complaint by the minor activist alleging online threats and harassment. The new case also invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
Bhardwaj’s detention in Bulandshahr came after mounting pressure on Delhi Police. CJP representatives, along with political leaders including Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, had gathered outside the Parliament Street police station on Friday seeking his arrest. Police subsequently assured the protesters that action would be taken.
Following his detention, security was tightened around the Parliament Street police station on Saturday as supporters of Bhardwaj also gathered at the site. Barricades were installed and additional security personnel deployed as a precaution.
The investigation is now expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the Jantar Mantar confrontation, the allegations contained in the separate complaint and Bhardwaj’s statements in the viral interview. Police are also examining the medical evidence and other material related to the assault case.