Swatantra Bhardwaj Detained in CJP Assault Case
Delhi Police have detained social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj in connection with an alleged assault during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 23. The development followed demonstrations demanding stronger action in the case.
Swatantra Bhardwaj Detained in Bulandshahr
Bhardwaj, 21, was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday and taken into custody by Delhi Police. He is accused of involvement in a scuffle in which the 38-year-old father of a minor CJP protester suffered head injuries.
The case drew renewed attention after a widely circulated podcast video showed Bhardwaj purportedly boasting about assaulting the man and claiming that political connections had protected him from legal consequences.
Delhi Police Reject Political Protection Claims
Delhi Police have rejected allegations of political interference. Police said medical examination at RML Hospital classified the victim’s injuries as simple and did not support claims that his skull had been fractured.
Union minister Chirag Paswan, whose name was mentioned by Bhardwaj in the viral video, denied knowing him personally and sought police action over the alleged misuse of his name.
POCSO FIR Filed Over Threats to Minor
Police have also added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the existing assault FIR following demands from protesters. A separate FIR under the POCSO Act and criminal intimidation provisions has been registered after the minor complained of receiving alleged online rape threats.
Police said investigators will identify those responsible for the threats. A demand to add an attempt-to-murder charge remains under examination, with authorities awaiting further medical opinion.
