SC seeks report on CJP protester's harassment claim against Swatantra Bhardwaj

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said allegations involving the harassment of a minor could not be ignored, while stressing that a child and her family must not be subjected to pressure for pursuing criminal proceedings.

In Short

• SC seeks report on harassment of teen after father assaulted by Swatantra Bhardwaj
• Court stresses no pressure on child or family in criminal case
• Authorities asked for FIR details and security measures

The Supreme Court on Thursday has sought a report over allegations that a 14-year-old girl who participated in a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi was being harassed after her father was assaulted by Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, who is currently in jail in connection with the attack.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said allegations involving the harassment of a minor could not be ignored, while stressing that a child and her family must not be subjected to pressure for pursuing criminal proceedings.

The bench asked authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to provide details on the FIR registered in connection with the allegations, the security arrangements for the girl and her family, and the steps taken against those accused of assault and intimidation.

The CJI also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that appropriate action was taken on the girl's FIR.

During the hearing, the girl's lawyer said that despite her FIR, there had been no action against the people who accompanied Bhardwaj during the assault on June 23.

The lawyer said there were videos showing four policemen accompanying the attackers and claimed that stones were also thrown at her residence.

"A person has admitted on video, in a manner of bragging, that he has committed that act... If that child faces some mischief, we will not be able to reverse those things," Live Law quoted the lawyer as saying.

In response, CJI Kant said the matter warranted immediate attention if people accused of violence against the child were still at large and attempting to intimidate her.

"If there are anti-social elements who indulge in violence against children, and they are roaming free, and are trying to browbeat the child, that may be a serious thing. Cause is justified. There can't be a second opinion," the CJI said.

"Child is a child. Some measures to protect the child can be taken. This incident can be taken as a standalone by local police."

Mehta told the court that he was aware of the matter through the girl's social media posts.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi then directed that immediate steps be taken on the FIR and that the girl and her family be provided police protection.

Bhardwaj was arrested on September 4 following outrage over an interview in which he claimed he had "cracked the skull" of the girl's father during the protest and escaped arrest because of his political connections.

The girl later alleged that she faced rape threats, verbal abuse and the circulation of morphed images after speaking out about the alleged assault on her father and filing a police complaint.

- Ends