Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 7: Right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has approached the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest in connection with the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Bhardwaj has filed a habeas corpus petition seeking a declaration that his arrest by the Delhi Police was illegal and seeking his release from custody. The Delhi High Court on Monday agreed to hear the plea urgently after it was mentioned before Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
Advocate Umesh Sharma mentioned the matter before the court and submitted that Bhardwaj had been in custody for three days.
Bhardwaj was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on September 5 from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh in connection with allegations that he assaulted the father of a student activist during a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar. He was subsequently produced before a magistrate and sent to one day of judicial custody.
The case initially involved charges under Sections 115(2) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to causing simple hurt and wrongful restraint. More serious provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were subsequently added following protests and demands for action.
A separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and provisions relating to criminal intimidation has also been reported in connection with allegations involving threats directed at the student activist.
The controversy escalated after Bhardwaj made statements on social media and in a podcast claiming that he had severely assaulted the woman's father during the protest. The claims prompted demands from the Cockroach Janta Party and others for his arrest.
Bhardwaj had also claimed proximity to NDA leaders Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan. Paswan denied any such association and filed a separate complaint alleging misuse of his name.
The Cockroach Janta Party, along with the student activist and her father, subsequently protested outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding stronger action against Bhardwaj. The Delhi Police later arrested him from Bulandshahr and brought him to Delhi under transit remand.
The Delhi Police has denied allegations of political interference in the investigation. Officials have said the investigation was conducted according to legal procedure and that the medical evidence did not support some of the more serious claims about the victim's injuries.
A Delhi court on Sunday, September 6, sent Bhardwaj to one day of judicial custody. The prosecution has sought further custody as the investigation continues.
The habeas corpus plea before the Delhi High Court now seeks to challenge the legality of his arrest. The court's urgent hearing is expected to determine the next course of action in the matter.