5 hrs ago
Delhi Police File POCSO Case Against Jantar Mantar Assault Accused
Police have opened a new case against Swatantra Bhardwaj under a law that protects children from sexual offences.
The case followed complaints from Nishu Azad, a minor activist.
She said people sent her rape threats, abused her online and changed her pictures.
Her father was allegedly injured during a protest at Jantar Mantar in July.
A video appeared to show Bhardwaj saying he had cracked the man’s skull.
Bhardwaj says the incident was self-defence and that the video being shared is fake or sarcastic.
Police say he has not been arrested, although he was detained in Uttar Pradesh.
Some politicians and groups have demanded action.
The investigation and new cases are still ongoing.
Delhi Police registered a fresh FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj under the POCSO Act following a minor activist’s complaint.
The complaint alleges online rape threats, verbal abuse, stalking and morphed images targeting Nishu Azad.
The earlier case over the alleged Jantar Mantar assault now also includes the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh but had not been arrested, according to Delhi Police.
Bhardwaj called the incident self-defence, while Chirag Paswan denied authorising or protecting him and sought action.
- Who
- Delhi Police, Swatantra Bhardwaj, minor activist Nishu Azad, and her father are central to the case.
- What
- Police filed a fresh POCSO FIR over alleged online threats and harassment and added the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act to the earlier assault case.
- Where
- The alleged assault took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi; Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The alleged assault occurred during a July protest; the fresh FIR and reported detention occurred on Friday.
- Why
- Police acted after complaints alleging online threats against Nishu Azad and an alleged assault on her father.
Complainants and critics
Bhardwaj's defense
What happened at Jantar Mantar
Complainants and critics
Nishu Azad and critics say Bhardwaj assaulted her father, with a circulated interview appearing to quote him claiming he cracked the man’s skull.
Bhardwaj's defense
Bhardwaj says he was surrounded by 10 to 15 people and struck the man in self-defence to avoid being lynched or killed.
Authenticity and severity of the evidence
Complainants and critics
Critics cite the viral clip and alleged injuries, including a claim that the victim required 60 stitches, while demanding immediate arrest and legal action.
Bhardwaj's defense
Bhardwaj says the podcast clip is fake or sarcastic, claims he has video evidence, and says the Delhi Police medical report showed no major injuries.
Political protection allegations
Complainants and critics
Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and protest groups questioned why Bhardwaj remained free and alleged political protection.
Bhardwaj's defense
Bhardwaj claimed political leaders were like his brothers but denied that the circulated remarks proved they intervened; Chirag Paswan said Bhardwaj misused his name and sought action.
Key facts
- Accused
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, described in the reports as 22 years old and a self-styled Hindutva influencer.
- Fresh case
- Registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act after a complaint by minor activist Nishu Azad.
- Additional sections
- The complaint reportedly invokes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 351(3), 78 and 79, along with Information Technology Act Section 67.
- Earlier case
- The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was added to the FIR concerning the alleged assault on Nishu’s father.
- Reported online abuse
- Nishu alleged rape threats, verbal abuse and morphed images after speaking publicly about the assault.
- Police status
- Delhi Police said Bhardwaj had not been arrested; PTI reported that he was detained in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
- Political response
- Chirag Paswan said Bhardwaj misused his name, filed a complaint and demanded action.
Quotes
Swatantra Bhardwaj
Influencer accused in the assault case who characterized the incident as self-defence
“What people are calling an attack was an act of self-defence. If I had not acted in self-defence, I could have been lynched by the mob or killed. There was no attempt to attack him. I have proof in the form of video.”
livemint.com
“No action despite the accused admitting to an attack that could have been fatal sets a bad example; I take responsibility for ensuring justice for the family,”
livemint.com
Sources
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