A Delhi court on Monday sent self-styled right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj to 14-day judicial custody in connection with an assault case involving a 38-year-old man.
Bhardwaj was produced through video-conference before Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Laler of the Patiala House court.
The case relates to an alleged assault during a student protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in June.
What is the Jantar Mantar assault case?
According to the case details, Bhardwaj is accused of assaulting and injuring Sanjay Azad, a 38-year-old participant in the protest.
The incident had earlier drawn attention after Bhardwaj was detained by Delhi Police in connection with the case. The matter subsequently became a wider political controversy, with allegations and counter-allegations involving supporters of different political groups.
Bhardwaj has previously described the incident as an act of self-defence and disputed aspects of the allegations against him.
Court sends Bhardwaj to judicial custody
After being produced before the Patiala House court on Monday, Bhardwaj was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
The latest order means he will remain in custody as the investigation and legal proceedings in the assault case continue.
The case has attracted considerable attention because of Bhardwaj’s social-media presence and his association with right-wing content.
Case sparked political controversy
The alleged assault at the CJP protest had triggered a political dispute, with supporters of the organisation demanding action against Bhardwaj.
The case also gained renewed attention after comments attributed to Bhardwaj in an online podcast, in which he discussed the alleged confrontation and claimed he had acted in self-defence.
Police have separately disputed some claims circulating on social media about the incident, while the investigation into the allegations remains ongoing.
The latest court order is not a finding of guilt. Bhardwaj remains an accused in the case, and the allegations against him will be determined through the legal process.
