GUWAHATI: Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting the father of student activist Nishu Azad during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was sent to one-day police custody after being produced before a court at the Karkardooma Court complex on Saturday, September 5.
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Delhi Police had detained Bharadwaj from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, following protests outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding his arrest.
The case relates to an alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar, Nishu Azad’s father, during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in July. Nishu has alleged that Bharadwaj confronted her father while he was recording the protest.
The controversy intensified after a purported video interview of Bharadwaj,who describes himself as Kattar Hindutva influencer went viral, in which he appeared to claim that he had “cracked the skull” of Kumar and that Kumar required 60 stitches. He also claimed that he did not go to jail after the incident and referred to his political connections.
"I have cracked open his head. Do you know which charge applies to that? Attempted murder—Section 307. The person had 60 stitches on his head. The guy was on the verge of death, being taken in an ambulance. His daughter was standing outside the police station saying, 'If my father doesn't get justice, we will consume poison and die.” Bharadwaj said in the purported video interview
“I was out the very next day. In fact, I didn't even go to jail! The whole world should know this—I didn't even go to jail. I was roaming around all night.” Bharadwaj further added
Bharadwaj later clarified that his actions were in self-defence, claiming that he was surrounded and attacked during the confrontation.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has also registered a fresh FIR against Bharadwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following a complaint in which the victim is a minor
The investigation is underway.