Delhi Police have detained right-wing social media influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr in connection with the alleged assault of Sanjay Kumar, father of CJP activist Nishu Azad, during a protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said.
The detention comes amid mounting pressure on police to take action against Bharadwaj over the alleged incident, which reportedly took place during demonstrations linked to concerns over examination paper leaks in June and July.
The case has gained significant attention in recent days following the emergence of a podcast in which Bharadwaj allegedly spoke about the confrontation with Kumar.
Viral Podcast Puts Bharadwaj Under Spotlight
The controversy intensified after excerpts from the podcast circulated on social media. Bharadwaj was allegedly heard claiming that he had “cracked” Kumar’s skull and suggesting that his political connections helped him avoid jail.
The remarks triggered demands from CJP supporters and others for immediate police action.
However, Bharadwaj has rejected the allegation that he deliberately attacked Kumar and has maintained that his actions were in self-defence.
CJP Leaders Demand Stronger Action
Following the controversy, CJP leaders staged a demonstration outside Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi, seeking Bharadwaj’s arrest and stronger legal action in the case.
A delegation including CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) president and MP Chandrashekhar Aazad, and Delhi Youth Congress president met police officials on Friday.
The delegation held discussions with officials, including Additional DCP Manjeet Sharma, and pressed for stringent action against those accused in the alleged assault.
Police had reportedly agreed to examine demands for adding stronger provisions to the FIR, including an attempt-to-murder charge and applicable provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police Give 72-Hour Assurance
The developments followed a meeting between protesters and Delhi Police officials at Parliament Street Police Station.
Sanjay Kumar, Nishu Azad’s father, later said police had accepted their demand regarding the inclusion of relevant legal provisions and assured them that the accused would be arrested within 72 hours.
The assurance has added a new deadline to the case, with attention now focused on the police action following Bharadwaj’s detention.
Bharadwaj Maintains Self-Defence Claim
Bharadwaj has consistently disputed the version that he launched an unprovoked assault. He has said the confrontation occurred after he was allegedly surrounded and that he acted to protect himself.
Police had earlier described Kumar’s head injuries as simple injuries sustained during a scuffle.
With Bharadwaj now detained in Bulandshahr, the case is likely to remain under close scrutiny as investigators determine the circumstances surrounding the Jantar Mantar confrontation and examine the allegations made by both sides.
The claims surrounding the alleged assault, including those made in the viral podcast, remain subject to police investigation and the legal process.
