New Delhi:
Swatantra Bhardwaj, an influencer accused of attacking a pupil activist’s father on the pinnacle throughout a Cockroach Janta Social gathering (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in June, has claimed that it was an act of “self-defense” since he was on the verge of being lynched by a mob.
In a dialog with NDTV, Bhardwaj, a self-proclaimed Hindu and Gau Rakshak (cow protector), mentioned that he struck the protester’s father along with his iron bracelet in self-defense.
“I struck Nishu’s father on the pinnacle with my kada (iron bracelet) in self-defense,” he advised NDTV.
Bhardwaj did not seem to have any regret. He additional mentioned that he would do it once more if related makes an attempt had been made to focus on him.
“If I’m cornered like that once more and makes an attempt are made to focus on me, I’ll strike with my kada as soon as extra,” he mentioned.
Claims vs Claims
Sanjay Kumar, father of teenage CJP protester Nishu, was attacked on the pinnacle throughout a protest in July that led to the resignation of then Schooling Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Bhardwaj is accused of launching the assault on Kumar, about which he boasted on a podcast.
In a viral clip from a podcast, Bhardwaj is heard claiming he “cracked the cranium” and was “not even jailed.” He boasted about being free and out and about on the night time of the assault.
“I cracked the cranium of Nishu’s father. Are you aware which part this crime attracts? Part 307. He wanted 60 stitches. The person was being taken away in an ambulance in critical situation.
“His daughter was standing outdoors the police station and saying that she would die by suicide if her father did not get justice. However I used to be not even jailed. The world ought to know this. I used to be out and about by means of the night time,” Bhardwaj is heard saying within the video.
Bhardwaj made a U-turn after his feedback went viral and mentioned that no matter he claimed was mentioned in a “joking method”.
“I’m a social media influencer, so what I mentioned was mentioned in a joking method. I used to be surrounded by a crowd at Jantar Mantar and was on the verge of being lynched by the mob. I struck Nishu’s father on the pinnacle with my kada in self-defense,” he advised NDTV.
Influencer vs CJP
CJP supporters, led by spokesperson Saurav Das and co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka, marched to the Parliament Avenue Police Station in Delhi from Patel Chowk to press for Bhardwaj’s arrest. CJP supporters have been joined by Azad Samaj Social gathering chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad and are staging a protest outdoors the police station, demanding Bhardwaj’s arrest.
“There’s a minor who has been related to our protest proper from day one. Her father, Sanjay Ji, additionally comes together with her. After we had been holding a peaceable sit-in protest when some members of a felony gang entered our protest and resorted to violence,” Das advised mediapersons outdoors the police station. “After the FIR was registered, we continued placing strain on the police, saying that this was an try and homicide and that the related part ought to be added. We additionally demanded that the SC/ST Act be invoked as a result of they belong to a Dalit household. There may be additionally a caste angle to the matter. However the police didn’t take any such motion. After we pressured the police, they advised us to method the courtroom and procure an order,” he added.
CJP is asking Delhi Police to register a case of an try and homicide and alter the sections of the FIR.
“We’re right here for the nation. That is shameful for the nation. That is open hooliganism, but no motion is being taken. Our group has stood shoulder by shoulder by shoulder by with Nishu,” Das mentioned whereas addressing the supporters.
Following protests, which started within the morning, Delhi Police has added SC/ST Act to the FIR and has determined to conduct a recent medical examination of sufferer Kumar. The choice on registering a case of tried homicide will probably be based mostly on the medical examination findings.
What Delhi Police Stated
Delhi Police on Thursday night shared a reality verify stating that accidents suffered by 38-year-old Sanjay Kumar had been “easy in nature” and there was no crack in his cranium.
Attributing its assertion to the medico-legal case (MLC) report, Delhi Police mentioned: “He (Sanjay Kumar) was medically examined by docs of RML Hospital, and the accidents had been opined to be easy in nature. The accidents had been made by kada and never by any weapon. The misinformation relating to a crack within the cranium will not be supported by information/ MLC and is totally baseless.”
On 23.06.2026, at Jantar Mantar, throughout the CJP protest, Sh Sanjay Kumar (38), a resident of Ghaziabad, sustained a head damage by Kada worn by one of many alleged throughout a scuffle.
He was medically examined by Docs of RML Hospital, and the accidents had been opined to…
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) September 3, 2026
Based mostly on Kumar’s grievance, two people — 24-year-old Suraj Kumar and 21-year-old Swatantra Bhardwaj — had been served notices and interrogated. Due authorized motion has been taken, and a chargesheet will probably be filed earlier than the competent courtroom quickly, Delhi Police mentioned.
