Swatantra Bhardwaj in 14-Day Judicial Custody Over Assault on CJP Activist’s Father
A Delhi court has sent Swatantra Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody over the alleged assault on the father of a minor CJP activist at a Jantar Mantar protest. Police invoked the SC/ST Act, criminal intimidation charges and POCSO after a viral podcast clip showed him claiming responsibility.
A Delhi court on Monday remanded Swatantra Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the alleged assault on the father of a teenage Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar earlier this year. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler of the Patiala House Courts issued the order after the conclusion of Bhardwaj's one-day police custody. He is scheduled to be produced before the court next on September 21.
Bhardwaj was presented before the court after the single-day police remand granted on Saturday came to an end, Live Law reported. Following arguments from both sides, the court directed that he be sent to judicial custody for two weeks. Advocates Swati Khanna, Mohd. Yasin, Rishav Rajan and Rishabh Singh appeared on behalf of the victim during the proceedings.
Detention And Charges Against Bhardwaj
Delhi Police detained Bhardwaj on Friday in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. The detention followed an agitation staged by CJP members outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding immediate police action and his arrest. Swatantra Bhardwaj Detained: Fresh FIR Filed Against Social Media Influencer Under POCSO Act.
Investigators have invoked sections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with charges of criminal intimidation, in the FIR registered against him. A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has also been registered in connection with the broader complaint involving the minor activist. Swatantra vs Azad: What Is the Whole Case Involving CJP Member and Influencer?
How The Case Unfolded
The alleged incident took place during a protest organised at Jantar Mantar in July. The case drew widespread attention after video footage from a podcast, in which Bhardwaj was seen discussing the incident, claiming responsibility for assaulting the father of the minor activist and referencing political connections, circulated widely on social media.
The viral clip triggered public criticism and fuelled demonstrations demanding police intervention, eventually leading to his detention and the court remand.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2026 04:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).