The Jantar Mantar assault controversy has taken a serious turn with Delhi Police arresting influencer and activist Swatantra Bhardwaj for allegedly assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of student activist Nishu Azad. Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh on Friday and arrested by Delhi Police on Saturday. He was produced before a judge at the judge’s residence in the Karkardooma Court complex and sent to one-day police custody.
The arrest comes at a time when the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), its supporters and Opposition leaders have been demanding more action against Bhardwaj. A viral video from a podcast interview with Bhardwaj, in which he said he “cracked the skull” of Nishu Azad’s father, went viral. The comments put a new dimension to the already heated case and brought demands for his immediate arrest.
Sanjay Kumar was assaulted at the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, they claimed. The incident took on a political dimension as those who have been involved were calling for tougher charges against those involved. Bhardwaj's comments in the podcast further stoked media interest and it has been a matter of discussion on social media that the incident has been further investigated.
The situation worsened on Friday when CJP representatives and supporters gathered at Parliament Street Police Station seeking action against Bhardwaj. Opposition figures also weighed in on the political debate over the case. Protesters were assured by Delhi Police that the accused would be arrested within 72 hours, the newspaper said. Bhardwaj was later arrested in Bulandshahr and brought before the court.
More Charges Added To FIR
The investigation has also expanded with Delhi Police adding provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the existing FIR. Police have also invoked Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which deals with criminal intimidation involving a threat of death.
The Cockroach Janta Party has already been calling for more serious provisions to be added to the case, including charges of attempted murder and culpable homicide. The evidence of the inquiry will be dependent on the victim’s medical examination.
A separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has also been registered following threats and harassment directed at Nishu Azad. Since it involves a minor, the new case has made the matter even more serious.
Opposition Steps Up Attack On BJP
The arrest has also intensified the political battle surrounding the incident. AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the BJP had initially tried to protect Swatantra Bhardwaj and criticised the Delhi Police for the way the case was handled.
Saurabh Bharadwaj also attacked the police for the first charges against the accused, saying the weaker provisions were deliberately used. He spoke as CJP supporters were gathered outside the Parliament Street Police Station, turning the case into a bigger political confrontation.
The AAP leader also criticised Union Minister Chirag Paswan for his remarks about Swatantra Bhardwaj. His comments spoke to the more partisan nature of the controversy and opposition to BJP and the Delhi Police’s response to the allegations.
Bhardwaj’s arrest is good news for the CJP and its supporters after days of demands for more action. The police have to ask him about the alleged assault and investigate the facts of the incident now, one day before they could take him to court.
Viral Podcast Clip Under Investigation
An important element of the controversy is the viral podcast clip in which Bhardwaj allegedly talked about the confrontation with Nishu Azad’s father. His stated reference to “cracking the skull” became a big talking point.
The police would then study the context and circumstances of the comments and the evidence gathered in the case.
With Bhardwaj now in police custody, the investigation would be to establish what actually happened in the Jantar Mantar protest and what legal provisions are applicable based on the evidence available. The medical results of Sanjay Kumar may also reveal whether additional and more serious charges are warranted.
The case remains politically charged with the CJP demanding more serious action and Opposition leaders questioning the police response. Bhardwaj’s arrest and subsequent police custody are a new phase in the investigation but the legal and political fallout from the Jantar Mantar incident is likely to continue as the police continue their probe.
