Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj, wanted in connection with an alleged assault at a student protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has been detained by police in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. The detention occurred near Dhamra Nara village after police teams successfully tracked him to the district. This development comes amidst mounting political pressure and public scrutiny following the emergence of a podcast clip featuring Bhardwaj.
The case revolves around a demonstration on June 23 by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar, protesting alleged examination paper leaks. During the event, Sanjay Kumar, father of student protester Nishu Azad, reportedly suffered a head injury during a scuffle. Kumar, who was filming the protest on his phone, claims an argument escalated into an assault by Bhardwaj and two to three other men, leaving him with two lacerated wounds on his head, as recorded at RML Hospital.
The controversy reignited when a podcast clip surfaced, in which Bhardwaj appeared to boast about the assault, claiming he had “cracked” Kumar's skull and that the victim required numerous stitches. He also seemingly suggested he had political connections, avoiding jail time despite the severity of the alleged crime, which he himself termed an “attempt to murder.”
Escalating Pressure and Police Action
The podcast remarks triggered widespread demands for Bhardwaj's arrest from the CJP and various Opposition parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly questioned Bhardwaj's freedom, implying political protection. Delhi Police, however, refuted allegations of political interference, asserting that their investigation adheres strictly to legal procedures.
As public and political pressure intensified, leaders from the CJP, Congress representatives, and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad approached the Parliament Street police station. After extensive discussions, police agreed to add relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the existing case. Furthermore, authorities committed to seeking additional medical opinions to determine if an attempt-to-murder charge should be included. The viral podcast clip will also be thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Bhardwaj's Defence and Ongoing Probe
In response to the accusations, Bhardwaj denied intentionally attacking Kumar, asserting he acted in self-defence after being surrounded by a group of 10 to 15 individuals. He claimed that without his defensive actions, he could have faced lynching or even death. Bhardwaj also stated he possesses video evidence to support his version of events and dismissed the podcast clip circulated by figures like Rahul Gandhi as “fake.” He further denied receiving any political protection.
Police are expected to question Bhardwaj extensively regarding the alleged assault, his controversial statements in the podcast, and his claims of political influence. His detention marks a significant turn in a case that has drawn considerable attention since the June 23 protest and the subsequent FIR against him.