Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj accused of assaulting student’s father at CJP protest have been reportedly detained in Bulandshahr distric of Uttar Pradesh. Some Tv channels have flash news of his detention however there is no official confirmation of his detention or arrest.
A viral podcast featuring Swatantra Bhardwaj has triggered a political controversy after he appeared to claim that he assaulted the father of student protester Nishu Azad during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and escaped jail despite the alleged severity of the incident.
Bhardwaj’s remarks have drawn strong criticism from opposition leaders and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has demanded his arrest. The controversy has also raised questions over his alleged political connections after he referred to BJP leaders, including Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, in the podcast.
However, the Delhi Police have disputed the claim that the victim suffered a fractured or “cracked” skull, saying the injuries were found to be simple in nature.
The controversy has intensified after Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Mahua Moitra questioned the handling of the case, while the Cockroach Janta Party demanded action against Bhardwaj. Nishu Azad has also said she will accompany her father to Parliament Street Police Station to seek justice.
Who is Swatantra Bhardwaj?
Swatantra Bhardwaj has described himself publicly as a right-wing/Hindutva activist and social media influencer. He has gained attention through his social media presence and appearances in online content.
He is now in the spotlight after a clip from a podcast circulated widely on social media in which he discussed the June 23 confrontation at Jantar Mantar involving Sanjay Kumar, the father of student activist Nishu Azad.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) today today visited Parliament Street Police Station, demanding action against self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj over an alleged assault during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and others proceeded to the police station from Patel Chowk in connection with a case involving injuries suffered by one of their supporters during the protest.
CJP protestor Nishu Azad on Friday said Delhi Police had assured her that action would be taken against Swatantra Bhardwaj within 72 hours, as members of the Cockroach Janta Party gathered outside Parliament Street police station demanding strict action over the alleged assault on her father during a protest at Jantar Mantar.