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Delhi Court Grants Regular Bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj
A Delhi court has granted Swatantra Bhardwaj regular bail, so he can remain outside jail while his case continues.
He is accused of assaulting the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Reports give different dates for the alleged incident: June 23 and July 23.
Before this decision, Bhardwaj had three weeks of interim bail.
During that time, he was told not to discuss the case publicly or contact the complainant, his daughter, or witnesses.
His defence said video showed the complainant attacking first.
The complainant’s lawyer alleged that Bhardwaj used casteist slurs, while police said that claim appeared in a later statement.
Separately, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said police notices were discouraging activists from joining a planned October 10 protest.
The detailed bail order was still awaited in the reports.
A Delhi court granted Swatantra Bhardwaj regular bail after reviewing his conduct during three weeks of interim bail.
The case concerns an alleged assault on the father of a student activist at a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar; reports differ on whether it occurred June 23 or July 23.
Interim bail conditions barred Bhardwaj from discussing the case publicly, contacting the complainant, his daughter or witnesses, or interfering with evidence.
The defence said video showed the complainant attacking first and called the arrest politically motivated; the complainant’s lawyer alleged casteist slurs, which police said appeared in a later statement.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said activists received police notices ahead of an October 10 protest; his claim that Meta restrictions were imposed at the government’s request was not independently established.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj; the bail order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler.
- What
- A Delhi court granted Bhardwaj regular bail in a case concerning an alleged assault.
- Where
- The court was in Delhi; the alleged assault took place at Jantar Mantar. The reports differ on its date, giving June 23 and July 23.
- When
- Tuesday; he had received three weeks of interim bail on September 15.
- Why
- The judge considered Bhardwaj’s conduct during the interim-bail period before deciding his regular bail plea.
Bhardwaj’s defence
Complainant’s side
Account of the confrontation
Bhardwaj’s defence
The defence said video showed the complainant attacking Bhardwaj first and argued that his arrest was politically motivated.
Complainant’s side
The complainant’s lawyer opposed bail and alleged that Bhardwaj used casteist slurs.
Caste-related allegation
Bhardwaj’s defence
Delhi Police told the court that the original complaint did not mention a casteist slur.
Complainant’s side
Police said the allegation appeared in a later statement, after which SC/ST Act provisions were added.
Key facts
- Court
- Patiala House Court, Delhi
- Judge
- Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler
- Interim bail
- Granted September 15 for three weeks
- Alleged incident
- At a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar; reports give June 23 and July 23 as the date
- Bail conditions
- No public discussion of the case, contact with the complainant, his daughter or witnesses, or interference with evidence
- Charges mentioned
- BNS provisions, SC/ST Act provisions and, in a separate FIR, POCSO Act provisions
- Detailed bail order
- Awaited at the time of reporting
- Planned CJP protest
- October 10 at Jantar Mantar, according to the report
Quotes
Supreme Court ruling
A Supreme Court ruling cited by the court in discussing bail.
“Bail is an expression of the court’s trust, and it is not a trophy to be displayed.”
theprint.in
Sources
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