Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Rahul Gandhi Targets Amit Shah Over Dalit Father's Attacker
Nishu Aazad says her father was badly hurt in an alleged attack.
She says the police registered a case but did not take action for more than a month and a half.
A video appearing to feature Swatantra Bhardwaj says he caused the injuries.
The speaker also says a phone call from Delhi minister Kapil Mishra helped him avoid jail.
Rahul Gandhi said the alleged attacker was being protected and demanded justice.
Nishu thanked Gandhi and said his support gave her hope.
Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the CJP also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The people named in the allegations and Delhi Police did not comment to PTI before the report was filed.
The claims in the video and political accusations have not been independently established in the report.
Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Police of protecting the alleged attacker of Dalit student Nishu Aazad’s father.
Nishu alleged that her father, Sanjay, suffered serious head injuries in the attack and that police took no action despite an FIR.
A video purportedly shows Swatantra Bhardwaj claiming responsibility for the attack and saying Kapil Mishra helped him avoid jail.
Gandhi pledged support for Nishu and demanded action against the alleged attacker.
Delhi Police, Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan did not respond to PTI’s requests for comment before publication.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Nishu Aazad, her father Sanjay, and alleged attacker Swatantra Bhardwaj are central to the report; Amit Shah, Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Delhi Police are also mentioned.
- What
- Gandhi accused Amit Shah and Delhi Police of protecting the alleged attacker of Nishu’s father and demanded action.
- When
- The statements and political reactions were reported on Thursday; Nishu said more than 1.5 months had passed since the FIR.
- Where
- The protest referenced in the report took place at Jantar Mantar, while the alleged attack and police case concern Delhi.
- Why
- Nishu sought justice after alleging that police had not acted against the person accused of attacking her father.
Political Critics’ Allegations
Named Parties’ Position
Alleged political protection
Political Critics’ Allegations
Rahul Gandhi, Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the CJP accused the Bharatiya Janata Party or its leaders of protecting the alleged attacker.
Named Parties’ Position
Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Delhi Police did not respond to PTI’s requests for comment, so no contrary account was reported.
Police handling of the case
Political Critics’ Allegations
Nishu said an FIR was filed but police had not taken action despite the passage of more than 1.5 months, and she criticized the handling of the medical examination.
Named Parties’ Position
The report does not include a response from Delhi Police addressing Nishu’s allegations.
Nature of the video claims
Political Critics’ Allegations
Nishu and political critics cited a video purportedly showing Swatantra Bhardwaj admitting responsibility for the injuries and discussing why he was not jailed.
Named Parties’ Position
The report identifies the footage as purported and does not provide an independent verification or a response from Bhardwaj.
- Alleged attacker
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, described in the report as a self-styled Hindutva influencer.
- Injured person
- Sanjay, Nishu Aazad’s father, allegedly sustained serious head injuries.
- Political accusation
- Rahul Gandhi alleged that Amit Shah and Delhi Police were shielding the alleged attacker.
- Police case
- Nishu said an FIR was registered, but police had taken no action after more than 1.5 months.
- Video claim
- A purported video features Bhardwaj claiming he caused the injuries and referring to Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan.
- Requested legal action
- Nishu said the alleged attack should have been booked under Section 307 for attempted murder.
- Official responses
- Delhi Police, Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan gave no comment to PTI before publication.