Swatantra Bhardwaj has been arrested by Delhi Police in a case involving allegations under the POCSO and SC/ST Acts after his detention in Bulandshahr.
New Delhi: Swatantra Bhardwaj, described as a Hindutva activist, has been arrested by Delhi Police after being detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with a case involving allegations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
What happened
Bhardwaj was detained by Delhi Police in Bulandshahr on Friday and was subsequently produced before a judge at the Karkardooma Court complex in New Delhi on Saturday.
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The court remanded him to one day of police custody, according to the information provided.
The case involves a complaint by Sanjay Kumar, who has alleged that threats were made against his minor daughter. Delhi Police registered a fresh FIR under the POCSO Act following the complaint. The SC/ST Act was also added to the FIR related to the matter.
On one-day Police custody of Swatantra Bhardwaj, Rishav Ranjan, counsel for Nishu Azad, says, "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 accused was presented before the judge at his residence. 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.”
Link to the Jantar Mantar protest
The arrest comes months after an alleged assault involving Sanjay Kumar during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in July.
A video clip later circulated on social media in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of Kumar during the demonstration.
The incident led to demands for Bhardwaj's arrest, with CJP activists staging a protest outside the Parliament Street police station on Friday.
Bhardwaj's response
Bhardwaj has denied attacking Kumar and has said that he acted in “self-defence” after being surrounded by a group of protesters.
The competing allegations are now part of the legal proceedings, and the court process will determine the facts and applicable charges.
Political reaction
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) also responded to the controversy.
The party said Bhardwaj had falsely invoked the name of Union Minister and party president Chirag Paswan to claim political protection. It said the party had no connection with the incident.
The party called for police action against Bhardwaj and asked authorities to record that LJP (Ram Vilas) was not involved.
The case has developed across two connected areas: the alleged assault during the July protest and the subsequent complaint involving a minor and provisions of the POCSO and SC/ST Acts.
The latest development is Bhardwaj's arrest and one-day police custody following his detention in Bulandshahr. The proceedings will now focus on the allegations contained in the FIR and the evidence collected by investigators.
The political controversy surrounding claims of alleged protection has also added attention to the case, although the allegations and competing claims remain subject to the legal process.
Published: 05 Sept 2026, 03:49 pm IST
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