Delhi Police detained 21-year-old content creator Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of seriously injuring 38-year-old Sanjay Azad during a protest at Jantar Mantar on June 23.
The detention came hours after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other political leaders staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding action in the case.
According to the police, Bhardwaj and others allegedly attacked Azad, who had accompanied his 14-year-old daughter to the protest. Azad sustained head injuries during the alleged assault.
FIR initially filed under simple hurt provisions
An FIR was registered at Parliament Street police station on June 23 under Sections 115(2) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to causing hurt and wrongful restraint.
Bhardwaj was briefly detained at the site on the day of the incident and later released.
The case came under renewed scrutiny after Bhardwaj allegedly made social media claims about having political connections. He reportedly mentioned Union minister Chirag Paswan and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra.
Paswan has since distanced himself from Bhardwaj and said he filed a complaint against the content creator for allegedly misusing his name. Mishra has not issued a statement on Bhardwaj’s claims, according to the report.
CJP protests, SC/ST Act sections added
The CJP had demanded stronger action against Bhardwaj and questioned the handling of the case.
Following the protest, police added provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said police had assured protesters that Bhardwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.
The group alleged that it took nearly two months and a public protest to secure further action in the case.
Viral podcast reignites controversy
The controversy escalated after Bhardwaj appeared on a video podcast on Wednesday and spoke about the June incident.
During the conversation, he appeared to acknowledge attacking Azad and claimed that he had acted in self-defence. He also made claims about alleged political connections and made threatening remarks concerning Azad.
The video went viral on social media.
Azad’s minor daughter subsequently posted a video on X, saying she had already filed an FIR after the incident and questioning Bhardwaj’s remarks.
The issue then drew the attention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CJP representatives and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who expressed solidarity with the family and questioned the police response.
Police ‘factcheck’ draws criticism
Following the controversy, New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma issued a post addressing the allegations.
According to the police account, Azad suffered a head injury during a scuffle from a kada worn by one of the alleged accused. Police said he was examined at RML Hospital and that doctors described his injuries as simple.
The DCP also said the accused had been detained at the scene and that Bhardwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar, were subsequently served notices according to law.
The police rejected allegations of undue influence or interference in the investigation.
The statement prompted further criticism from CJP and Bhim Army representatives, who announced a protest.
Azad alleges seven stitches, threats to daughter
Azad has alleged that Bhardwaj and others attacked him, leaving him with seven stitches on his head.
He also alleged that his daughter had received rape threats and that videos targeting her had been circulated.
Police said they had taken the minor’s complaint and registered a separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant BNS provisions.
A police officer quoted in the report said another medical examination of Azad would be conducted before deciding whether additional sections, including attempted murder, should be added.
Bhardwaj claims self-defence
Bhardwaj has denied intentionally attacking Azad and described the incident as self-defence.
Speaking to reporters, he claimed he had attacked Azad because he feared being mob-lynched. He said he had been at the protest with six friends who were demonstrating against the CJP.
The competing accounts are part of the ongoing police investigation.
Detained in Bulandshahr
Investigating officers said a Delhi Police team travelled to Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, after Bhardwaj’s location was traced through his phone.
He was detained at around 3:30 pm on Friday, officers said.
Police were yet to obtain transit remand as of Friday evening.
The FIR states that Azad had accompanied his daughter when Bhardwaj and two or three others allegedly confronted him about making a video. A fight subsequently broke out, according to the complaint.
The medical report cited in the FIR mentions lacerated wounds on the right frontal and left parietal regions of Azad’s head, with the nature of the injuries pending observation.
The investigation is continuing.
