Self-Styled Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj Remanded to Police Custody Following Jantar Mantar Assault
Swatantra Bhardwaj, a 21-year-old social media influencer, was remanded to one-day police custody on Saturday by the Patiala House court. The order, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler, follows Bhardwaj’s recent detention by Delhi Police in connection with a violent altercation that took place at Jantar Mantar on June 23.
The legal action comes after a surge of public pressure and protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at the Parliament Street police station. Bhardwaj, along with several associates, stands accused of brutally attacking 38-year-old Sanjay Azad, who had attended the protest site with his daughter.
Escalation of Charges and SC/ST Act Invocation
Initially, the First Information Report (FIR) registered on the day of the incident was limited to charges of simple hurt and wrongful restraint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, following widespread condemnation and sustained protests by activists and political groups, authorities have significantly bolstered the charges. The investigation now includes provisions under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Furthermore, a separate FIR has been lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and additional BNS sections. This follows allegations that Bhardwaj directed rape threats toward the victim’s minor daughter, further complicating his legal standing.
Victim’s Ordeal and Allegations
Sanjay Azad, who belongs to the Dalit community, described the encounter as a targeted act of violence. He claimed that the assailants attacked him without provocation after questioning him about filming the protest. According to medical documentation, Azad sustained multiple lacerations to his head that required seven stitches.
“My daughter has been courageously fighting for justice, but we have been subjected to constant intimidation,” Azad stated. He alleged that the group not only threatened his family but also made derogatory comments regarding his caste.
Defense and Political Backlash
Despite the evidence and the victim’s testimony, Bhardwaj has publicly attempted to justify his actions. Speaking to the media earlier this week, he characterized the assault as an act of “self-defense,” claiming he would have been the victim of a mob lynching had he not fought back.
The controversy has drawn the attention of high-level political figures. Union Minister Chirag Paswan, whose name was purportedly misused by the influencer in social media posts to suggest political backing, has officially filed a complaint against Bhardwaj.
“The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated,” Paswan remarked. “When an individual openly brags about inflicting life-threatening injuries on someone, it sends a dangerous message to society if left unchecked.” Paswan has urged the Delhi Police to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation, distancing himself entirely from the accused.
As the case proceeds, the one-day police remand is expected to allow investigators to piece together the events of June 23 and address the serious allegations of hate speech and intimidation that have turned this incident into a focal point for national discourse on influencer conduct and legal accountability.
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