Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Delhi Court Grants Regular Bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj
A Delhi court has granted Swatantra Bhardwaj regular bail, so he can remain out of custody while his case continues.
He is accused of assaulting the father of a student activist during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
Reports place the alleged incident in either June or July.
Before granting regular bail, the court let him out on interim bail for three weeks starting September 15.
He was told not to discuss the case publicly, contact the complainant or witnesses, or interfere with evidence.
The defence said a video showed the complainant attacking first, while the complainant’s lawyer alleged casteist remarks.
Police said the casteist remark allegation appeared in a later statement.
The court also questioned parts of the investigation, and the detailed regular-bail order was awaited.
Separately, a CJP leader said police were pressuring activists about a planned protest.
A Delhi court granted Swatantra Bhardwaj regular bail after assessing his conduct during three weeks of interim bail.
The case concerns the alleged assault of a student activist’s father during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar; reports differ on whether it occurred in June or July.
Interim bail began on September 15 and barred Bhardwaj from discussing the case publicly, contacting the complainant or witnesses, or interfering with evidence.
The defence said video showed the complainant attacking first; the complainant’s lawyer alleged casteist remarks, and police said that allegation appeared in a later statement.
The court had raised questions about investigative steps; CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke separately alleged police pressure on activists ahead of a planned October 10 protest.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj; Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler granted bail.
- What
- Bhardwaj was granted regular bail in a case concerning an alleged assault.
- When
- Tuesday; his three-week interim bail began on September 15.
- Where
- Patiala House Court in Delhi; the alleged assault occurred at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The judge considered Bhardwaj’s conduct during the interim-bail period.
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 the arrest was politically motivated.
Complainant’s side
The complainant’s lawyer opposed bail and alleged that Bhardwaj used casteist remarks.
Caste-related allegation
Bhardwaj’s defence
Delhi Police said 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.
- Court
- Patiala House Court, Delhi
- Judge
- Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler
- Interim bail
- Granted for three weeks on September 15
- Alleged incident
- Assault on a student activist’s father during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar; reports give June 23 or July 23
- Interim-bail restrictions
- No public discussion of the case, contact with the complainant or witnesses, or interference with evidence
- Case allegations and provisions
- Reports describe initial BNS charges, later SC/ST Act provisions, and a separate FIR involving POCSO provisions
- Investigation
- The court flagged questions about investigative steps, including the examination and handling of evidence
- Detailed bail order
- Awaited at the time of reporting
Sources
Hindutva ‘influencer’ Swatantra Bhardwaj gets regular bail in Jantar Mantar assault case
Delhi Court Grants Regular Bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj in Jantar Mantar Case
Swatantra Bhardwaj bail: Delhi court grants bail in Jantar Mantar assault case - Telegraph India
Delhi Court Grants Regular Bail To Hindutva Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj
Delhi Court grants regular bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj