Counsel questions police procedure in Swatantra Bhardwaj arrest

The counsel questioned why police sought only one day’s custody in what he described as a serious offence.

NEW DELHI: Counsel for the CJP protester on Saturday questioned the manner in which social media 'influencer' Swatantra Bhardwaj was produced before a judge and remanded to one-day police custody in connection with the alleged assault on the protester’s father during a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. “It is very strange. We were all present in the court and waiting for the hearing to begin. Later, we came to know that legal aid counsel joined through video conferencing and the accused was presented before the judge at his residence,” Rishav Ranjan, counsel for the CJP protester, said. Ranjan also questioned why police sought only one day’s custody in what he described as a serious offence and said the legal team had not been given details of the provisions added to the FIR. “One-day police custody was sought in such a serious offence. We did not receive any details as to what charges were added and what additions were made to the FIR. I don't know what is being hidden. Delhi Police have not made any official statement regarding the sections, so far,” he said.

Bhardwaj arrested, sent to one-day custody

Bhardwaj was arrested by Delhi Police on Saturday, a day after he was detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr in connection with the alleged assault during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. He was produced before the concerned judge at the judge’s residence at the Karkardooma court complex and remanded to one-day police custody, news agency ANI reported. The development came after the CJP protested outside Parliament Street police station on Friday, demanding action against Bhardwaj. Police subsequently added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR relating to the alleged assault. A fresh FIR was also registered against Bhardwaj under the POCSO Act following a complaint by the minor CJP protester alleging online threats and harassment. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act.

Case followed Bhardwaj's Jantar Mantar claims

The case had escalated after Bhardwaj made remarks in a podcast about the Jantar Mantar confrontation, claiming that he had “cracked the skull” of the protester’s father. He later said he had acted in self-defence and claimed he was surrounded by a group of people during the incident. Delhi Police had earlier said the injuries suffered by the protester’s father were “simple” in nature and were caused by a steel bracelet. Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on Friday after CJP representatives demanded his arrest. He was subsequently arrested and remanded to police custody.