Archive · 4 Sep 2026
'Influencer' Bhardwaj Detained Over Alleged Attack During Delhi CJP Protest
Swatantra Bhardwaj was detained after allegedly hitting Sanjay Kumar during a Cockroach Janta Party protest in Delhi.
Sanjay Kumar is the father of a teenage protester named Nishu.
Bhardwaj said he hit Kumar with an iron bracelet because he feared a crowd would lynch him.
He said he would do it again if he felt similarly threatened.
In a podcast, he had claimed that he cracked Kumar’s skull and that Kumar needed 60 stitches.
Bhardwaj later said those comments were made as a joke.
CJP supporters say the attack was serious and want stronger criminal charges.
Delhi Police said medical records showed only simple injuries and no skull fracture.
Police said notices had been issued to Bhardwaj and another man, while a later report said Bhardwaj was detained.
Swatantra Bhardwaj was detained Friday over an alleged attack on Sanjay Kumar during a CJP protest.
Bhardwaj said he struck Kumar’s head with an iron bracelet in self-defense.
He later called podcast claims that he cracked Kumar’s skull and caused 60 stitches a joke.
CJP supporters are demanding Bhardwaj’s arrest, stronger charges, and application of the SC/ST Act.
Delhi Police said Kumar’s injuries were simple, found no skull fracture, and had earlier questioned two people.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj is accused of attacking Sanjay Kumar, the father of a CJP protester; CJP supporters are seeking action against him.
- What
- Bhardwaj allegedly struck Kumar on the head with an iron bracelet and described the act as self-defense; he was later detained.
- When
- The articles place the protest incident in June or July; Bhardwaj was detained on Friday evening, and Delhi Police issued its fact check on Thursday evening.
- Where
- The alleged attack occurred at Jantar Mantar in Delhi; CJP supporters later protested outside Parliament Street Police Station.
- Why
- Bhardwaj said he was defending himself from a crowd, while CJP supporters want an attempt-to-murder case and other legal action.
CJP Supporters’ Claims
Bhardwaj and Police Accounts
Nature of the incident
CJP Supporters’ Claims
CJP supporters described the incident as violence during a peaceful sit-in and said it should be treated as an attempt to murder.
Bhardwaj and Police Accounts
Bhardwaj said he struck Sanjay Kumar while defending himself from a crowd that was allegedly about to lynch him.
Severity of injuries
CJP Supporters’ Claims
CJP supporters cited Bhardwaj’s podcast comments that Kumar’s skull was cracked and that he needed 60 stitches.
Bhardwaj and Police Accounts
Delhi Police, citing the medico-legal report, said Kumar’s injuries were simple and that there was no skull fracture.
Police response
CJP Supporters’ Claims
CJP supporters said police had not taken sufficient action and demanded stronger charges and application of the SC/ST Act, citing Kumar’s Dalit family.
Bhardwaj and Police Accounts
Delhi Police said two people were served notices and interrogated, legal action had been taken, and a chargesheet would be filed; a later report said Bhardwaj was detained.
- Accused
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, described as a self-styled influencer and right-wing activist
- Injured person
- Sanjay Kumar, 38, a Ghaziabad resident and father of CJP protester Nishu
- Alleged weapon
- An iron bracelet, or kada
- Police medical finding
- The medico-legal report described Kumar’s injuries as simple in nature
- Skull injury claim
- Delhi Police said the medical report did not support claims that Kumar’s skull was cracked
- Police action
- Police said notices were served on Bhardwaj and 24-year-old Suraj Kumar; a later report said Bhardwaj was detained
- Protest demands
- CJP supporters want Bhardwaj arrested, an attempt-to-murder section added, and the SC/ST Act applied
