Complaint filed against CJP's Nishu Azad over deity remarks; she claims targeting and stone-pelting
A minor political activist has pleaded for police protection after claiming her family home was surrounded and pelted with stones on Saturday night. The incident follows the high-profile arrest of a right-wing influencer accused of a violent assault on her father.
Nishu Azad, a minor activist with the CJP, launched an urgent appeal on social media. She alleged that goons associated with the BJP had besieged her residence. The teenage activist shared a series of videos on the platform X, urging police in Delhi and Ghaziabad to provide security and protection. "What if something happens to my parents? Who will be held responsible for that?" she asked.
Escalating Threats and Political Demands
The safety fears emerged shortly after Delhi Police arrested Swatantra Bhardwaj, a right-wing influencer, in connection with an attempt to murder Sanjay Azad, Nishu’s father. Sanjay was allegedly assaulted during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on June 23, 2026. Nishu welcomed the arrest but warned that "the threat remains for us, as his supporters are abusing my father and me".
The political temperature rose further when Vinod Jakhar, National President of the NSUI, visited the Azad family on Saturday. Jakhar condemned what he described as a severe delay in police action. He alleged that the investigation only gathered pace after the personal intervention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reportedly prompted a team of lawyers to push for more stringent charges against Bhardwaj. "This gives the impression that the BJP protects such goons," Jakhar claimed, pointing out that Bhardwaj had reportedly admitted to the attack in a podcast.
Secret Court Hearings and Police Remand
In a highly unusual move reflecting the tense security situation, Special Judge SPS Laler of the Patiala House court remanded Bhardwaj to one day of police custody during a hearing held at the judge's private residence at the Karkardooma Court complex on Saturday. Officials cited pressing safety and security concerns for bypassing the standard courtroom venue.
Bhardwaj was tracked down and detained in Bulandshahr by the Delhi Police crime branch before being brought back to the national capital. The investigation was triggered after a podcast interview surfaced in which Bhardwaj allegedly boasted about hitting Sanjay Azad on the head with a heavy metallic 'Kada'. Police are also investigating a second individual, named Suraj, in connection with the Jantar Mantar assault.
Legal Backlash and Counter-Complaints
The Azad family now faces a complex legal battle as two national capital advocates registered police complaints against both Nishu and her father on Saturday. The lawyers allege that the pair made highly objectionable remarks against Hindu deities in past social media posts. Advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a complaint at the Sansad Marg Police Station after Nishu reportedly ignored a warning to delete historical tweets that allegedly mocked the goddesses Maa Durga and Saraswati.
"Insulting gods won't be allowed in any manner," Sachdeva insisted, adding that police had promised to take action. Another lawyer, Anurag Gupta, called for a nationwide campaign of complaints to deter such "foul-mouthed" individuals.
Nishu has fiercely defended her family against these counter-complaints. She accused the lawyers of stooping low and making "illegal demands about sending my father to jail". Meanwhile, Advocate Prateek Jha has submitted a representation at Parliament Street Police Station alleging police "double standards" at Jantar Mantar, claiming that different groups of protesters have been treated unequally.