Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Court Extends Swatantra Bhardwaj Custody in Jantar Mantar Assault Case
A court in Delhi has ordered Swatantra Bhardwaj to remain in jail until September 21.
The case involves an alleged attack on Sanjay Azad at a protest on June 23.
Police say Azad suffered a head injury during a scuffle.
They say the injury was medically assessed as simple.
Bhardwaj was arrested on September 4 in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
He was questioned and then brought to Delhi.
Police later added charges under the SC/ST Act and for alleged criminal intimidation.
The court also allowed Bhardwaj’s lawyer to collect a signed legal authorization from Tihar Jail.
A Delhi court extended Swatantra Bhardwaj’s judicial custody until September 21.
Bhardwaj was produced by video conference from Tihar Jail after one day of police custody ended.
The case concerns the alleged June 23 assault of Sanjay Azad during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police later added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR.
Police arrested Bhardwaj on September 4 after remarks in a podcast allegedly renewed demands for action.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj was arrested in connection with an alleged assault on Sanjay Azad.
- What
- A Delhi court extended Bhardwaj’s judicial custody until September 21.
- When
- The alleged assault occurred on June 23; Bhardwaj was arrested on September 4, and his custody was extended on Monday.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi; Bhardwaj is being held at Tihar Jail.
- Why
- Police linked the arrest to the assault case and renewed demands for action after remarks allegedly made by Bhardwaj in a podcast circulated on social media.
- Custody extended until
- September 21
- Accused
- Swatantra Bhardwaj
- Complainant
- Sanjay Azad
- Protest date
- June 23
- Arrest date
- September 4
- Arrest location
- Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh
- Additional provisions
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation