BJP supporter arrested over Delhi protest assault

NEW DELHI: Police have arrested Hindutva-linked BJP supporter Swatantra Bhardwaj over an alleged assault on the father of a girl who participated in a protest in the Indian capital.

Bhardwaj was taken into custody after a video of a podcast interview circulated widely on social media, in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack and made remarks about severely injuring the victim.

The victim, identified as 38-year-old Sanjay Azad, reportedly sustained a serious head injury and required around 60 stitches. His daughter, Nishu, later appealed for help on social media after the video of Bhardwaj’s remarks went viral.

According to an FIR registered on June 23, Azad had attended a protest with his daughter when Bhardwaj and two or three other people questioned him about recording a video. An argument reportedly followed, which escalated into a physical altercation.

Azad told police that he was assaulted during the incident and suffered a serious injury to his head.

Police initially registered a case against Bhardwaj under provisions relating to voluntarily causing hurt and obstructing a person’s movement.

However, during a podcast released on Wednesday, Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had “split Nishu’s father’s skull”. He also reportedly claimed that he had remained free despite the case carrying an attempted murder provision, attributing his influence to BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan, whom he described as being like elder brothers.

Following the circulation of the podcast, Nishu sought public support through social media.

On Friday, members of the Bhim Army, CJP and Indian Youth Congress held a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station, demanding action against Bhardwaj.

Police said Bhardwaj was detained on Friday afternoon in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district, where he was reportedly giving media interviews. He was subsequently brought to Delhi and formally arrested early Saturday after questioning.

Investigators are now considering whether additional charges should be added to the case.

Police said a fresh medical examination of Sanjay Azad would be conducted. If medical evidence establishes that the injuries were caused with a sharp-edged weapon, the relevant provisions would also be added to the case.