1 hr ago
Supreme Court Seeks Reports Over Harassment Claims Against Child Protester
A 14-year-old girl attended a Cockroach Janta Party protest.
She complained that her father was assaulted during the protest.
Her lawyer told the Supreme Court that the girl was later threatened and that stones were thrown at her home.
The lawyer also said a police complaint had been filed against the girl.
The court said nobody should scare a child or the child’s family into stopping a criminal case.
It asked officials to act quickly on the girl’s complaint.
It also requested reports about the girl’s safety and the police investigation.
The court is now waiting for information from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh officials.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over alleged harassment and intimidation of a 14-year-old protester.
The girl’s counsel said her home was vandalised and a counter-FIR was filed against her.
The court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure prompt action on the girl’s FIR.
Reports were sought from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on protection and police action.
Delhi Police added SC/ST Act and criminal-intimidation charges against influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj over an alleged assault on the girl’s father.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the 14-year-old girl, her family, influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, and government officials.
- What
- The court examined allegations that the girl was harassed and intimidated after reporting an alleged assault on her father, and sought reports and prompt action.
- Where
- The allegations concern the Cockroach Janta Party protest, Jantar Mantar, the girl’s residence, and police authorities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The court considered the matter on Thursday; the protest was held in July, and Delhi Police added charges on September 5. One article says Bhardwaj was arrested on September 4, while another says he was detained in Bulandshahr.
- Why
- The court acted after the girl’s counsel alleged harassment, stone-pelting at her home, a counter-FIR, and attempts to discourage the family from pursuing criminal proceedings.
The girl’s allegations
Official response and investigation
Intimidation and protection
The girl’s allegations
The girl’s counsel alleged that she was harassed, threatened, exposed to abusive and morphed content, and that her home was attacked after she filed a complaint.
Official response and investigation
The Supreme Court said such allegations could not be taken lightly and asked authorities to provide protection and report on the investigation.
Counter-FIR against the child
The girl’s allegations
The girl’s counsel argued that a counter-FIR against her was improper while people allegedly seen accompanying the accused were not being prosecuted.
Official response and investigation
The court directed the Solicitor General to examine the matter and ensure prompt action on the girl’s FIR; the articles do not report a final ruling on the counter-FIR.
Alleged assault on the girl’s father
The girl’s allegations
The complaint and reports concern Bhardwaj’s alleged assault on the girl’s father, which he reportedly described in a podcast or interview as having involved cracking his skull.
Official response and investigation
Delhi Police added SC/ST Act and criminal-intimidation provisions to the FIR, and Bhardwaj was reported as arrested or detained after public and political demands for action.
Key facts
- Minor’s age
- 14 years old
- Court action
- Reports sought from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
- Presiding judge
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Solicitor General
- Tushar Mehta
- Accused influencer
- Swatantra Bhardwaj
- Added charges
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act provisions and criminal intimidation
- Reported threats
- Harassment, rape threats, verbal abuse, morphed images, and alleged stone-pelting at the girl’s home
Quotes
Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
The Supreme Court bench hearing the allegations concerning the minor protester.
“There cannot be any second opinion about it. Such matters cannot be taken lightly. Nobody should be protected. If violence against a child is involved and persons are roaming free and trying to browbeat the child or the family so that they do not pursue the criminal proceedings, then it's a serious matter.”
NDTV
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
“If there are anti-social elements who indulged in violence against child, and they are roaming free, and are trying to browbeat the child, that may be a serious thing.”
NDTV
rediff.com
Sources
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