A Delhi court granted three weeks interim bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj, who is in judicial custody in connection with alleged assault of Dalit.

Opposing the bail plea, the complainant’s lawyer said Bhardwaj had not been arrested illegally and that four FIRs had been registered in connection with the case. The lawyer said these included cases invoking the SC/ST Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

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 case is separate from the FIR concerning the alleged assault on the girl’s father during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar on June 23.