Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj arrested over Jantar Mantar assault and threats

Delhi Police have arrested 21 year old content creator Swatantra Bhardwaj and remanded him to one day of police custody. Bhardwaj is accused of assaulting Sanjay Azad, the father of a protester, during June demonstrations at Jantar Mantar regarding National Eligibility cum Entrance Test irregularities. The arrest follows a viral podcast in which Bhardwaj claimed he had cracked the skull of the victim and boasted about avoiding jail due to connections with politicians.

Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. The police action occurred after protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the BHIM Army, and the Indian Youth Congress. While an initial FIR for voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint was filed in June, authorities have since amended the charges to include the SC/ST Act and criminal intimidation. Additionally, a case under the POCSO Act has been lodged following reports that Bhardwaj and his associates sent rape threats to Azad's minor daughter.

In the viral video, Bhardwaj is heard claiming that the victim required 60 stitches and suggesting that he used a kada to attack protesters. He also mentioned that BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan were like elder brothers to him. Union minister Chirag Paswan has since distanced himself from Bhardwaj and called for action.

Perspectives on the arrest vary. A friend of Bhardwaj told the Hindustan Times that the comments in the podcast were sarcasm and that the arrest was a result of pressure. Conversely, Sanjay Azad stated that he was denied a medical legal case report by police at the time of the attack and that he and his daughter were targeted based on their caste. Police officials indicated they may add attempted murder charges pending a fresh medical examination of the victim.