CJP protests for the arrest of Swatantra Bhardwaj, questions Delhi Police
Swatantra Bhardwaj admitted to injuring the father of a minor girl, Neeshu, during a protest at Jantar Mantar in June.
Over 100 supporters and workers of the Cockroach People's Party are protesting at the Parliament Street police station for the arrest of independent Bhardwaj, along with Chandrashekhar of the Azad Samaj Party. Bhardwaj, who claims to be a protector of Hindutva, had admitted to breaking the skull of a minor girl, Neeshu's father, during a protest at Jantar Mantar in June.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, co-coordinator Ashutosh Ranka, and others are marching from Patel Chowk to the Delhi Parliament Street police station demanding Bhardwaj's arrest. Speaking to reporters outside the police station, they said,
"Our protest is related to a minor girl. Her father is also with them. While we were peacefully protesting, some members of a criminal gang infiltrated our demonstration and committed violence. After the FIR was registered, we kept pressuring the police that this was an attempt to murder and the relevant section should be added. We also demanded the SC/ST Act be applied as they belong to a Dalit family. But the police took no such action. When we pressured the police, they said to go to court and get an order."
CJP supporters are protesting outside the police station while Ashutosh Ranka and Das are negotiating for Bhardwaj's arrest.
In this matter, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has also encouraged Neeshu.
He stated in a post that,
"Neeshu, you need not be afraid. I am with you. It is clear that you were targeted because you raise your voice for the rights of your community and students. The Delhi Police under Amit Shah is committing inhuman brutality against students. On the other hand, a criminal who broke a Dalit girl's father's skull is roaming freely. Neeshu, your fight is not alone. We will not stop until justice is served."
It is noteworthy that independent Bhardwaj, a right-wing activist, admitted in a podcast that he broke a protester's skull. This claim is related to the incident at Jantar Mantar, where Ghaziabad resident Sanjay Kumar was injured during a scuffle. In the video, Bhardwaj is seen claiming that,
"I broke the skull of the protesting student's father. No one can arrest me. I have the blessings of BJP leader and Delhi government minister Kapil Mishra. Kapil Mishra is like my elder brother. Not only that, in the video, he is also heard claiming that PM Modi is also his elder brother."
In the video, he is also heard saying that the person he attacked received 60 stitches and was close to death, and a case under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder) should have been registered against him. Bhardwaj said that,
"He did not have to go to jail himself. He is boasting that police officers received a call from Kapil Mishra, whom he referred to as 'elder brother'."
Meanwhile, a dramatic scene unfolded on Friday. Under criticism, Bhardwaj took a U-turn and told ANI that,
"What I did was in self-defense. What people are calling an attack was an act of self-defense. If I had not acted in self-defense, the crowd would have lynched or killed me. I had no intention of attacking them. I have evidence in the form of a video. I was surrounded by 10-15 people. When I acted in self-defense, they got injured on their heads."
The 21-year-old Bhardwaj further stated that,
"According to the Delhi Police's medical report, he did not sustain serious injuries. He is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. To those saying that I was released under Kapil Mishra's influence, I want to tell them that Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan are like my brothers. People should understand that what was said was in jest."
It is noteworthy that in a nearly one-hour podcast available on YouTube, Bhardwaj said,
"We broke Neeshu's father's skull. You know what section applies here? Section 307—attempt to murder. He received 60 stitches on his head. His condition was almost fatal in the ambulance. His daughter was standing outside the police station saying that if her father did not get justice, she would commit suicide by consuming poison. But Bhardwaj was out the very next day. I did not even go to jail."
He said, "The whole world should know that I did not even go to jail. I roamed around all night." He then explained why he considers himself so special.
Bhardwaj said,
"Firstly, I have the blessings of Kapil Mishra. Kapil Mishra called and I was released. Kapil Mishra is my elder brother, Chirag Paswan is also my elder brother—all are my own. Which leader do you know? Do you know Modi ji? Modi ji is also my elder brother. I have the support of everyone."
The podcast host asked him where he got the stick that was visible in his hand during the CJP protest.
To this, Bhardwaj smiled and said,
"Are you looking at my shoe? This is a Delhi Police shoe. I do not fill out forms, yet I roam around like the Delhi Police. My shoe is from the Delhi Police, the stick and everything else is from the Delhi Police."
CJP leader Saurav Das alleged that on July 20, during the protest at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police refused to impose strict sections against Bhardwaj.
Das wrote on X, "Let me tell you what actually happened after the attack on Dalit man Sanjay by BJP-protected goon independent Bhardwaj during our Jantar Mantar protest. Sanjay ji's skull was fractured. The wound was so large and serious that the section for attempt to murder—IPC section 307—should have been clearly applied in the FIR."
He said,
"The other members of the gang present with Bhardwaj have still not been identified, while many of them openly threatened Sanjay's minor daughter Neeshu immediately after the attack by making reels."
He questioned,
"If Kapil Mishra illegally intervened in the justice process, why should he not be made a co-accused in the FIR? Why should he not resign for protecting the gang members and abusing his position? Does the BJP leadership support this?"
Das stated that,
"The police deliberately used the 'plainclothes' story as a cover to allow political goons like Bhardwaj and right-wing extremists to directly attack peaceful protesting students among police personnel."
On July 20, thousands of protesters attempted to march to Parliament at the call of CJP and activist Sonam Wangchuk. During the confrontation with the protesters, the police resorted to lathi charge, fired tear gas shells, and used weapons like pellet guns. During this time, some individuals in plain clothes were seen attacking protesters with the sticks used by the police.
The police have been accused of excessive use of force. The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police on July 22, directing them to preserve video evidence related to the actions of police personnel on July 20. The Delhi Police defended the deployment of its personnel in plain clothes during the "March to Parliament" in the Supreme Court, stating that these personnel were strategically included in the crowd due to the seriousness and urgency of the situation.
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