Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj
A Delhi court gave Swatantra Bhardwaj temporary bail for three weeks.
The case is about an alleged fight at a protest in Jantar Mantar.
The person allegedly hurt was the father of a teenage student-activist.
Bhardwaj denies the accusations through his lawyer.
His lawyer says the arrest was politically motivated and that the complainant attacked Bhardwaj.
The complainant’s lawyer says Bhardwaj used caste-based insults and attacked the complainant.
Police said the first complaint did not mention casteist language, but a later statement did.
The case will continue even though Bhardwaj has received temporary relief.
The Patiala House Court granted Swatantra Bhardwaj three weeks of interim bail in the Jantar Mantar assault case.
The case concerns an alleged attack on the father of a teenage student-activist during Cockroach Janta Party protests.
Bhardwaj faces allegations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act.
Delhi Police said the original complaint did not mention casteist remarks, which were allegedly added in a later statement.
Bhardwaj’s lawyer alleged political motives and said the complainant attacked him, while the complainant’s lawyer rejected those claims.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, the complainant and his teenage daughter, the Delhi Police, and lawyers for both sides are involved.
- What
- A Delhi court granted Bhardwaj three weeks of interim bail in an alleged Jantar Mantar assault case.
- When
- The bail order was issued on Tuesday; the alleged incident occurred in July, and Bhardwaj was arrested in September. The articles differ on whether the arrest occurred on September 4 or September 5.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at Jantar Mantar in Delhi; the case was heard by the Patiala House Court.
- Why
- The court granted temporary relief while proceedings continue; the case involves allegations of assault, casteist remarks, and charges under the SC/ST and POCSO laws.
Complainant’s Allegations
Bhardwaj’s Defense
Who initiated the violence
Complainant’s Allegations
The complainant’s lawyer said Bhardwaj attacked the complainant and presented a video that allegedly showed Bhardwaj admitting the assault.
Bhardwaj’s Defense
Bhardwaj’s lawyer alleged that the complainant attacked Bhardwaj and said a video of that incident exists, but police took no action against the complainant.
Casteist remarks
Complainant’s Allegations
The complainant’s lawyer said Bhardwaj used casteist insults, supporting the addition of provisions under the SC/ST Act.
Bhardwaj’s Defense
Delhi Police said the original complaint did not mention casteist abuse and that the allegation appeared only in a later statement.
Reason for arrest
Complainant’s Allegations
The complainant’s side argued that Bhardwaj’s arrest was legally valid because he faced charges under multiple laws, including the SC/ST and POCSO Acts.
Bhardwaj’s Defense
Bhardwaj’s lawyer argued that the arrest was politically motivated and challenged its legality before the Delhi High Court, which rejected his habeas corpus petition.
- Bail granted
- Three weeks of interim bail
- Court
- Patiala House Court, Delhi
- Judge
- Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler
- Main allegation
- Assault of the complainant’s father during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar
- Arrest
- The articles report detention in September, giving September 4 and September 5 as differing arrest dates
- Charges
- The case includes provisions of the SC/ST Act and the POCSO Act
- Earlier challenge
- The Delhi High Court rejected Bhardwaj’s habeas corpus petition
