Self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh on Friday in reference to the alleged assault on the daddy of pupil activist Nishu Aazad throughout a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, police stated, including that he tried to flee however was caught later.
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr. Police stated he had tried to flee however was caught, HT has learnt. Follow live updates related to CJP’s protest over Bhardwaj here.
The transfer got here amid mounting stress on Delhi Police following a viral video of an interview through which Bhardwaj appeared to say that he had “cracked the cranium” of Nishu’s father, Sanjay Kumar, in the course of the July 20 protest.
CJP protest places stress on Delhi Police
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had staged a protest exterior the Parliament Road police station on Friday, demanding Bhardwaj’s arrest.
The protesters, joined by Azad Samaj Get together chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and different supporters, accused Delhi Police of failing to take ample motion regardless of Bhardwaj’s purported admission.
Police had assured the delegation that Bhardwaj could be arrested inside 72 hours. The protesters additionally demanded that the case embrace prices of try to homicide, prison intimidation and provisions of the SC/ST Act.
Police had stated Bhardwaj and one other accused, Suraj Kumar, had been detained on the Jantar Mantar protest, questioned and served notices. Officers maintained that the investigation was persevering with and a chargesheet could be filed.
‘I cracked his cranium’: Viral interview triggers outrage
The controversy erupted after a clip from a one-hour interview of Bhardwaj, who describes himself as a “kattar Hindu”, went viral on social media.
Within the video, Bhardwaj appeared to say that he had attacked Sanjay Kumar and stated he escaped being jailed regardless of the seriousness of the alleged offence.
“Have you learnt which part this crime attracts? Part 307. He wanted 60 stitches. The person was being taken away in an ambulance in critical situation,” he was heard saying.
Bhardwaj additionally claimed to have political connections, naming BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as folks whose assist he had.
Police dispute cranium fracture declare
Delhi Police has disputed claims that Sanjay suffered a cranium fracture. Police stated he suffered a easy head harm throughout a scuffle and {that a} case was registered on his criticism.
The protesters, nevertheless, continued to demand stronger sections, arguing that the circumstances warranted an attempt-to-murder cost.
A police supply stated the sufferer would bear one other medical examination after the SC/ST Act was added to the case. Additional investigation would decide whether or not an attempt-to-murder cost was warranted.
Nishu alleges threats after criticism
Nishu has additionally alleged that she confronted verbal abuse and rape threats after complaining concerning the assault on her father and submitting an FIR.
“I used to be ashamed of even stepping out. For just a few weeks I couldn’t go to highschool, I really feel everyone seems to be judging me. I hope police will take motion,” she stated.
Chandrashekhar Azad accused the police of failing to behave regardless of Bhardwaj’s public statements concerning the incident. He alleged that the accused was intimidating the sufferer and posting materials that would disturb communal concord.
The CJP and different protesters had additionally alleged that political affect was behind the delay in Bhardwaj’s arrest. Delhi Police has rejected allegations of political interference.