Swatantra Bharadwaj Faces Fresh POCSO Case After Minor Alleges Online Threats, Harassment

New Delhi, September 4: The Delhi Police has registered a fresh FIR under the Protection of Children from S*xual Offences (POCSO) Act against Swatantra Bharadwaj following a complaint by a minor alleging online threats and harassment, according to a post by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Saurav Das on Friday. The fresh case adds to the legal action being sought against Bharadwaj amid a controversy over an alleged assault at a Jantar Mantar protest.

Das said the complaint was filed by the minor over alleged online threats and harassment. He also listed provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act that he said have been invoked in the case.

Fresh FIR Under POCSO

According to Das, the new FIR has been registered under the POCSO Act following the minor's complaint. Swatantra Bharadwaj Detained in Bulandshahr Over Alleged Assault on CJP’s Nishu Azad’s Father.

The post said the case also includes Section 351(3) of the BNS, relating to criminal intimidation involving threats of death, as well as Sections 78 and 79, concerning stalking and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Delhi Police Files Fresh POCSO FIR Against Swatantra Bharadwaj Over Alleged Online Threats To Minor

🚨#BREAKING: Delhi Police lodges a fresh FIR under POCSO in goon Swatantra Bharadwaj’s case.

This is basis a fresh complaint given by the minor victim alleging online threats and harassment. So far, other major sections included: BNS section 351(3) for criminal intimidation…

— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) September 4, 2026

Das further said Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which deals with publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, has been included.

The allegations are subject to investigation, and the registration of an FIR does not by itself establish guilt.

Police Had Earlier Assured Action

The development comes hours after Delhi Police assured a delegation representing the CJP that it would take action over alleged online threats and abuse directed at the minor. ‘Bring Rahul Gandhi, Entire Opposition’: Swatantra Bharadwaj’s Defiant Remark Amid Nishu Azad Row (Video).

The delegation had met police at Parliament Street police station on Friday and sought action against Bharadwaj, along with additional provisions in the FIR related to the alleged assault on the minor's father, Sanjay Kumar, during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

According to reports, police had assured the delegation that a separate FIR would be registered over alleged online abuse and objectionable content targeting the minor and that POCSO provisions would be added.

Swatantra Bharadwaj Case

This comes amid controversy surrounding the alleged assault of Sanjay Kumar, the father of CJP activist Nishu Azad, during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The issue gained renewed attention after a video from a podcast circulated on social media in which Bharadwaj appeared to claim that he had attacked Kumar during the protest. Bharadwaj has subsequently disputed the interpretation of his remarks and said he acted in self-defence.

Police have also been pursuing Bharadwaj in connection with the Jantar Mantar case. On Friday, reports said he was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, after a police search for him.

More Sections Sought In Assault Case

CJP representatives have also demanded that additional provisions, including attempt to murder and sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, be added to the FIR concerning the alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar.

Police have said further action would depend on evidence, including medical records and video material.

The latest POCSO case concerns the separate allegations of online threats and harassment made by the minor. The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged online activity and the applicability of the sections invoked.

Das said the legal team representing the complainant was following up with police over the case.

Investigation Underway

The fresh FIR marks another legal development in the controversy surrounding Bharadwaj. Police are now expected to investigate the allegations contained in the minor's complaint and examine the digital material relevant to the case.

Further details, including the FIR number and the precise allegations recorded by police, were not immediately available in the public domain.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2026 10:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).