Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Court Sends Swatantra Bhardwaj To 14-Day Judicial Custody
A Delhi court ordered Swatantra Bhardwaj to stay in judicial custody for 14 days.
The case concerns an alleged attack on the father of a student activist during a protest.
The protest was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar.
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr and brought before a Delhi court.
He first spent one day in police custody.
He then received a temporary one-day judicial remand before the longer order was made.
Police added several serious legal provisions to the case.
Bhardwaj has said that he acted in self-defence.
The student activist also complained of online threats and harassment, leading to a separate POCSO-related case.
A Delhi court sent Swatantra Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody in an alleged assault case involving a student activist’s father.
The alleged assault occurred during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar, with reports variously placing it in June or July.
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr after CJP supporters protested outside the Parliament Street police station seeking his arrest.
He first received one day of police custody and then a temporary one-day judicial remand before the 14-day order.
The case includes SC/ST Act, criminal-intimidation and POCSO-related allegations, while Bhardwaj has claimed self-defence.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, Delhi Police, the father of student activist Nishu Azad, and the Cockroach Janta Party.
- What
- A Delhi court ordered Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody in an alleged assault and related cases.
- When
- The alleged protest incident was reported as occurring on June 23 or in July; Bhardwaj was detained on a Friday, followed by custody hearings on Sunday and Monday.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at Jantar Mantar in Delhi; Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Police allege that Bhardwaj assaulted the student activist’s father, while a separate complaint concerns alleged online threats and harassment of the minor activist.
Police and Complainant Position
Bhardwaj's Position
What happened during the protest
Police and Complainant Position
Police and complainant accounts allege that Bhardwaj assaulted the student activist’s father during the CJP protest.
Bhardwaj's Position
Bhardwaj has claimed that he acted in self-defence.
Severity of the injuries
Police and Complainant Position
Delhi Police initially described the injuries as simple and said they were caused by a steel bracelet.
Bhardwaj's Position
Bhardwaj allegedly said in an interview that he had 'cracked the skull' and that the man needed 60 stitches.
Custody request and outcome
Police and Complainant Position
Delhi Police sought 14 days of judicial custody, and the court ultimately granted that request after an initial temporary one-day remand.
Bhardwaj's Position
Bhardwaj’s lawyer objected to aspects of the virtual production and the initial remand process, while the court first ordered only one day of judicial custody.
- Court
- Patiala House Court, Delhi
- Custody order
- 14 days of judicial custody, reportedly until September 21
- Earlier custody
- One day of police custody followed by a temporary one-day judicial remand
- Alleged assault location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Detention location
- Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh
- Additional allegations
- SC/ST Act, criminal intimidation, stalking, insulting the modesty of a woman, Information Technology Act and POCSO-related provisions
- Injury accounts
- Police described the father’s injuries as simple and allegedly caused by a steel bracelet; Bhardwaj claimed he caused a skull injury requiring 60 stitches
Sources
Delhi court remands Swatantra Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody in CJP activist assault case
Swatantra Bharadwaj Sent To 14 Days Judicial Custody In CJP Protest Assault Case
Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj sent to one day judicial custody
Swatantra Bhardwaj Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody In Jantar Mantar Case
Delhi Court Sends Swatantra Bhardwaj To One-Day Judicial Custody