A Delhi court has ordered Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj to be held in judicial custody for 14 days in connection with an alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The remand extends until September 21, 2026, reflecting the court’s consideration of the gravity of the allegations.

The decision comes after significant public outcry following Bhardwaj’s controversial interview, wherein he stated he had “cracked the skull” of the activist’s father, Sanjay Kumar, during the protest held on June 23. His remarks, allegedly claiming that he avoided arrest due to political connections, have intensified scrutiny and criticism of his actions.

Authorities detained Bhardwaj in Bulandshahr on September 6, 2026, shortly after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding his arrest. He was subsequently presented before Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler, who granted a request from the Delhi Police for custodial interrogation.

Details of the Alleged Assault

The allegations against Bhardwaj have led to the addition of several charges, including provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and charges of criminal intimidation. These charges pertain to the reported assault on Kumar, which Delhi Police initially stated resulted in “simple” injuries, allegedly caused by a steel bracelet.

However, reports have described the assault as severe, claiming that Kumar required 60 stitches. In a podcast following the incident, Bhardwaj defended his actions by stating he had acted in self-defence. The contrasting accounts have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the altercation, prompting further investigations by the authorities.

Bhardwaj’s comments during the interview, where he specifically mentioned the legal implications of his actions, have drawn widespread attention and concern, culminating in the ongoing legal proceedings against him.

Second FIR After Online Harassment Complaints

On the same day as Bhardwaj’s detention, police recorded a separate FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in response to a complaint from the minor activist. The activist alleged online threats and harassment following her father’s assault and the subsequent police complaint. The minor activist reported receiving threats of rape, verbal abuse, and altered images on social media platforms after speaking out.

The case illustrates the ongoing challenges of protecting individuals, particularly minors, from online violence and intimidation. In response to these developments, representatives from the CJP, accompanied by Chandrashekhar Azad, the chief of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and Member of Parliament for Nagina, met police officials to advocate for additional charges against Bhardwaj.

Their demands included charges of attempted murder and criminal intimidation, as well as separate legal action addressing the threats faced by the minor activist. As the case proceeds, Bhardwaj remains in judicial custody, and the implications of the alleged assault and online harassment continue to unfold, highlighting broader issues of safety and accountability in civic protests and digital platforms. The court’s next decision is anticipated by September 21, 2026.

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