12 hrs ago
Delhi Police Question Swatantra Bhardwaj Over Jantar Mantar Assault
Police arrested Swatantra Bhardwaj over an alleged assault at a protest in Delhi.
The injured person was the father of a student activist.
Police showed Bhardwaj videos that had spread online and asked him more than 100 questions.
Officials said he answered some questions but did not answer others.
Police also said he did not show remorse during questioning.
Bhardwaj had allegedly claimed in a video that he cracked the man’s skull, but later said he acted in self-defence.
Police added more legal provisions to the case and opened another case after the minor activist reported online threats.
Bhardwaj’s supporters said the case should be withdrawn and investigated fairly.
Separately, a lawyer complained about the activist’s social-media posts, but police had not filed an FIR over that complaint.
Delhi Police questioned Swatantra Bhardwaj during a one-day remand after his arrest in connection with an alleged assault.
Investigators reportedly asked Bhardwaj more than 100 questions and showed him viral videos containing his statements and claims.
Police added provisions of the SC/ST Act and criminal intimidation charges to the assault-related FIR.
A separate POCSO FIR was registered after the minor activist alleged online threats and harassment.
Bhardwaj’s supporters sought withdrawal of the case, while a separate complaint accused the activist of insulting Hindu deities; no FIR was registered on that complaint.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, a self-proclaimed Hindutva influencer, is being investigated by the Delhi Police over an alleged assault involving a student activist’s father.
- What
- Bhardwaj was arrested, questioned during police remand, and confronted with viral videos as investigators examined the alleged assault and related online threats.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar; Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- He was arrested on Friday, produced in court on Saturday, and questioned during his remand; officials described the developments on Sunday.
- Why
- Police are investigating the alleged assault, Bhardwaj’s statements in viral videos, and online threats reportedly made against the minor activist.
Police and Complainants
Bhardwaj and Supporters
What happened at the protest
Police and Complainants
The alleged assault on the student activist’s father is being investigated, and police added SC/ST Act and criminal-intimidation provisions after further developments.
Bhardwaj and Supporters
Bhardwaj later claimed he acted in self-defence, while his supporters demanded that the case be withdrawn and fairly investigated.
Online conduct and accountability
Police and Complainants
The minor activist alleged online threats and harassment after speaking about the assault, leading to a POCSO FIR; investigators are also examining Bhardwaj’s online material.
Bhardwaj and Supporters
A separate complaint by lawyer Amita Sachdeva alleged that the activist insulted Hindu deities through social-media posts, though police said no FIR had been registered on that complaint.
Severity of the alleged assault
Police and Complainants
Police said the father’s injuries were simple in nature, while the investigation includes Bhardwaj’s alleged video claim that he had cracked the man’s skull.
Bhardwaj and Supporters
Bhardwaj disputed the apparent implication of wrongdoing by saying he acted in self-defence.
Key facts
- Suspect
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, 22
- Custody
- A Delhi court granted one day of police custody
- Questioning
- Police reportedly asked more than 100 questions
- Investigation material
- Viral videos, social-media posts, and other digital material
- Added charges
- SC/ST Act provisions and criminal intimidation
- Separate case
- A POCSO FIR followed the minor activist’s complaint about online threats and harassment
- Injury assessment
- Delhi Police previously described the father’s injuries as simple in nature
Quotes
Swatantra Bhardwaj
Self-proclaimed Hindutva influencer accused in the alleged assault case
“cracked the skull”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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