Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj detained in Bulandshahr over Jantar Mantar assault case after podcast row

His detention comes amid renewed political pressure over the case following the circulation of a podcast in which he appeared to boast about assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of student protester Nishu Azad.

Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of assaulting the father of a student protester during a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has been detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, police sources said. Bhardwaj was detained near Dhamra Nara village after police teams traced him to the district. He had reportedly left Naithla village on a motorcycle before an earlier attempt to apprehend him.

His detention comes amid renewed political pressure over the case following the circulation of a podcast in which he appeared to boast about assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of student protester Nishu Azad.

The case relates to a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest against alleged examination paper leaks at Jantar Mantar on June 23. Delhi Police said Kumar sustained a head injury during a scuffle at the demonstration.

What happened at Jantar Mantar?

According to the FIR, Kumar was recording the protest on his mobile phone when an argument broke out over the filming.

The complaint alleged that the confrontation escalated after two to three other men joined the dispute and assaulted him.

Kumar alleged that he was punched on the head and struck with a hard object resembling an iron bangle. He was taken to RML Hospital, where doctors recorded two lacerated wounds on his head.

Delhi Police registered a case against Bhardwaj and Suraj Kumar under Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police have disputed claims that Kumar suffered a skull fracture, saying his medical report described the injuries as simple and did not support the more serious claims made later.

Podcast clip brings case back into spotlight

The case returned to public attention after a podcast clip surfaced in which Bhardwaj claimed that he had “cracked” Kumar’s skull and that the victim required around 60 stitches.

“Do you know which section this crime attracts? Section 307, attempt to murder. He was almost dying in the ambulance,” Bhardwaj was heard saying in the clip.

He also claimed that he had not been sent to jail and suggested that he enjoyed political connections.

The remarks triggered demands for his arrest from the CJP and Opposition parties.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned why Bhardwaj was not in jail and alleged that he was receiving political protection.

Delhi Police rejected allegations of political interference and said the investigation had been conducted according to legal procedure.

Political pressure mounts

CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, along with Congress representatives and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, approached the Parliament Street police station and demanded action against Bhardwaj.

Following discussions lasting around two hours, police added relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the case, according to an India Today report.

Police also agreed to obtain a further medical opinion before deciding whether an attempt-to-murder charge should be added. The viral podcast clip will also be examined as part of the investigation.

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said police had assured the delegation that Bhardwaj would be arrested within 72 hours. The assurance also covered action over alleged online threats against Nishu Azad.

Bhardwaj claims he acted in self-defence

Bhardwaj has denied deliberately attacking Kumar and claimed that he acted in self-defence after being surrounded by 10 to 15 people.

“What people are calling an attack was an act of self-defence. If I had not acted in self-defence, I could have been lynched by the mob or killed,” he said.

Bhardwaj claimed to have video evidence supporting his version of events. He also alleged that the podcast clip circulated by Rahul Gandhi and others was “fake” and denied receiving political protection.

Police are expected to question Bhardwaj about the alleged assault, his remarks in the podcast and his claims of political influence as the investigation continues.

Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world news on Zee News.