Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Opposition Targets BJP Over Jantar Mantar Assault Claims
A protest took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Sanjay Kumar, whose daughter Nishu Azad was protesting, was hurt during a scuffle.
Swatantra Bhardwaj later said in a video that he had cracked Sanjay’s skull and that Sanjay needed 60 stitches.
He also claimed that important political leaders supported him and helped him avoid jail.
The Cockroach Janta Party said the police did not apply serious enough charges.
Delhi Police gave a different account, saying the injury was simple and caused by a bangle during the scuffle.
Police also denied that anyone improperly influenced the case.
Opposition leaders used the video to criticize the BJP and demand action.
The reports give differing dates for the protest, with references to June 23 and July 20.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj claimed he fractured Sanjay Kumar’s skull during a CJP protest and avoided jail with political backing.
Bhardwaj said Sanjay needed 60 stitches and named Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Narendra Modi as supportive ‘elder brothers.’
Delhi Police said Kumar suffered a simple head injury from a bangle during a scuffle and denied claims of undue influence.
The Cockroach Janta Party alleged police refused to add attempted-murder or grievous-injury charges and demanded action against Bhardwaj.
Congress, AAP and TMC leaders criticized the BJP, while police said suspects were questioned and a chargesheet would be filed.
- Who
- Swatantra Bhardwaj, Sanjay Kumar, Nishu Azad, the Cockroach Janta Party, Delhi Police and opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Mahua Moitra.
- What
- Bhardwaj allegedly claimed responsibility for seriously injuring Sanjay Kumar and said political connections helped him avoid jail; police disputed the injury’s severity and denied interference.
- When
- The police statement refers to June 23, 2026, while the articles describe the broader protest and confrontation as occurring on July 20, 2026. Bhardwaj’s video became a political issue on September 3, 2026.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street police station in New Delhi.
- Why
- The Cockroach Janta Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk had called supporters to a protest march toward Parliament.
Opposition and Protest Organizers
Delhi Police Position
Severity of Kumar’s injury
Opposition and Protest Organizers
Bhardwaj’s statements and CJP representatives’ allegations describe a skull injury requiring 60 stitches and say the case warranted an attempted-murder or grievous-injury charge.
Delhi Police Position
Delhi Police said doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital classified the injury as simple and attributed it to a bangle worn by one participant during a scuffle.
Political influence
Opposition and Protest Organizers
The CJP, Congress, AAP and TMC argued that Bhardwaj’s claims suggested political protection and questioned why he was not jailed or charged more seriously.
Delhi Police Position
Delhi Police called allegations of undue influence or interference factually incorrect and said the case was handled according to law. Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan did not provide responses reported in the articles.
Plainclothes police personnel
Opposition and Protest Organizers
The CJP alleged that plainclothes personnel carrying police-style lathis were political or right-wing actors embedded among police and that disproportionate force was used against students.
Delhi Police Position
Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that the plainclothes personnel were official spotters from the special branch, special cell, crime branch and local police, and that such deployments were lawful and routinely used at large gatherings.
- Alleged injured person
- Sanjay Kumar, 38, a Ghaziabad resident and father of student protester Nishu Azad.
- Bhardwaj’s claim
- He said he cracked Sanjay’s skull, that Sanjay needed 60 stitches and that he remained out of jail.
- Alleged political backing
- Bhardwaj said Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Narendra Modi were like elder brothers and that he had their support; Mishra and Paswan did not respond to requests for comment.
- Police account
- Delhi Police said Kumar’s head injury was simple, caused by a kada or bangle during a scuffle, and not by a weapon.
- Police action
- Police said Swatantra Bhardwaj and Suraj Kumar were detained, served notices and interrogated, with a chargesheet to be filed.
- Disputed charges
- The Cockroach Janta Party said police refused to add IPC Section 307 for attempted murder or Section 326 for grievous injury.
- Political response
- Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Mahua Moitra criticized the BJP and questioned whether Bhardwaj received protection.
- Related court action
- The Supreme Court quashed FIRs connected to the July 20 protests after governments assured it that the cases would not be pursued.
