New Delhi | 04 Sep 2026
Delhi Police detained Swatantra Bhardwaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahar on Friday, hours after CJP leaders and supporters marched to Parliament Street Police Station demanding action over the alleged assault on activist Nishu Azad’s father, Sanjay Kumar. Bhardwaj is an accused in the 23 June incident at a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar and has denied deliberately attacking Kumar, saying he acted in self-defense.
CJP leaders march to Parliament Street Police Station
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka reached Parliament Street Police Station on Friday morning with supporters seeking what they described as stronger police action in the case. The demonstration followed renewed attention to the June incident after a video clip from a podcast featuring Bhardwaj circulated widely on social media.
ANI shared visuals of Das and Ranka arriving at the police station as the protest began.
Das questioned why the accused had remained free and called on Delhi Police to explain the action taken in the case.
Before the march, Das had announced on X that CJP members would gather at Parliament Street Police Station at 10 am to demand justice for Sanjay Kumar and his daughter.
Chandrashekhar Azad joins delegation
Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad also reached Parliament Street Police Station and joined those supporting Nishu and her father. The delegation sought tougher legal provisions in the case and action against Bhardwaj.
CJP’s official X account also posted an update from the police station during the demonstration.
Nishu Azad appeals for action over father’s assault
The dispute stems from a confrontation during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on 23 June. According to Delhi Police, Sanjay Kumar, 38, suffered head injuries during a scuffle. Police said Suraj Kumar and Swatantra Bhardwaj were detained at the site, served notices and questioned during the investigation.
Nishu Azad later posted a video on X appealing for justice and said she hoped Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi would support her fight.
Rahul Gandhi backs Nishu Azad and questions police action
Rahul Gandhi responded publicly to Nishu on X, saying he stood with her and that the campaign for justice would continue. He also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Police of protecting the accused. Those allegations were subsequently rejected by Delhi Police, which said the investigation had been conducted in accordance with law.
Delhi Police rejects claims of political interference
In an official statement, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, said Sanjay Kumar sustained a head injury from a kada worn by one of the alleged assailants during the scuffle. Police said doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital classified the injuries as simple and rejected social-media claims that Kumar had suffered a skull crack.
Police also said a case had been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and maintained that allegations of political influence or interference were unfounded. The force said legal action had been taken and a chargesheet would be filed before the competent court.
Following Friday’s meeting with the CJP delegation, reports said relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked, while a demand for an attempt-to-murder charge was to be assessed on the basis of expert medical opinion.
Bhardwaj says June incident was self-defence
Bhardwaj has disputed allegations that he deliberately assaulted Sanjay Kumar. Speaking to ANI before his detention, he said he had acted in self-defence after being surrounded during the confrontation and claimed there had been no intention to attack anyone. He also disputed the interpretation of remarks from the podcast clip that triggered renewed criticism.
Swatantra Bhardwaj detained in Bulandshahr
The case took a significant turn later on Friday when Delhi Police detained Bhardwaj near Dhamra Nara village in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. The development came hours after the Parliament Street demonstration and amid mounting demands for police action.
His detention does not amount to a finding of guilt. The allegations against him remain subject to investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
