The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday, September 4, said Delhi Police had assured it that Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting student activist Nishu Azad’s father during a protest at Jantar Mantar in July, would be arrested within 72 hours.
CJP leaders and supporters met senior police officials at the Parliament Street police station and demanded stronger charges in the case. Bhim Army chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also joined the delegation.
CJP Demands Stronger Charges
CJP representatives said police had agreed to add provisions relating to attempt to murder, grievous hurt and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the FIR.
“The police have agreed to our demand. Sections 306, 326 and SC/ST Act will be added to the FIR. The accused will also be arrested, they have assured. They are on it,” CJP representatives said after the meeting.
CJP co-convener Saurav Das alleged that Bharadwaj had publicly spoken about the attack and questioned why he had not been arrested.
“Sanjayji’s case is harrowing. Gang members like Swatantra Bhardwaj are openly flaunting that they attempted to murder Sanjayji, who was simply peacefully protesting for NEET students. Sanjayji was brutally attacked and barely survived,” Das said.
The CJP has also demanded that police verify Bharadwaj’s alleged claims about political connections that helped him avoid arrest.
Video Triggers Fresh Controversy
The latest developments followed the circulation of a video interview of Bharadwaj on social media. In the video, he allegedly spoke about the assault and claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of Sanjay Kumar but had not been jailed.
Bharadwaj, who describes himself as a Hindutva activist, also appeared to claim that political intervention had helped him avoid jail. He reportedly mentioned Delhi minister Kapil Mishra and Union minister Chirag Paswan in this context.
Das called on senior BJP leaders to respond to the claims.
“If the goon is openly saying Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan made the calls and he was released, top leaders of BJP should clarify on this,” he said.
Delhi Police Disputes Injury Claims
Delhi Police, however, has rejected the CJP’s description of the injury and denied any political interference in the investigation.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, Sanjay Kumar, 38, suffered a head injury during a scuffle at the July 23 protest. Police said the injury was caused by a metal kada worn by one of the accused.
The police said Kumar was medically examined at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and doctors described the injury as simple. It also rejected claims that his skull had been fractured.
“On his statement, a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at PS Parliament Street,” the police official said.
Police said Bharadwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar, 24, were detained at the spot, questioned and later served notices. A chargesheet is expected to be filed before the competent court.
Nishu Azad Says She Received Threats
Nishu Azad also accompanied the delegation and said police had assured them that Bharadwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.
“Police said they will arrest Swatantra in 72 hours. We believe they will take action and not keep delaying it as they were doing,” she told reporters.
Nishu further alleged that she had received verbal abuse and rape threats following the incident. She said an FIR had been registered over the alleged threats.
“I was ashamed of even stepping out. For a few weeks I could not go to school, I feel everyone is judging me. I hope police will take action,” she said.
CJP representatives also said police had assured them that a separate FIR would be registered over alleged online abuse and objectionable images targeting Nishu.
The CJP said it would return to the police station if the assurances given by Delhi Police were not fulfilled within the promised timeframe.
