Social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has suffered a major legal setback as the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition challenging his recent arrest and detention. Following this ruling, a local court ordered that he be sent to judicial custody for fourteen days, ensuring he remains behind bars until September 21. Meanwhile, the political outfit Coproach Janta Party and its spokesperson Saurav Das expressed satisfaction over the judicial development.
During the court proceedings, the legal counsel representing Swatantra Bhardwaj raised serious questions regarding the actions taken by the Delhi Police. The defense argued that the Supreme Court had already quashed related FIRs, making the police journey to Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and the subsequent arrest entirely unjustified and improper under the law.
The Delhi Police firmly contested these claims before the bench. Law enforcement representatives clarified that the specific FIR under which the influencer was apprehended has not been nullified or canceled by the apex court. Taking note of this, the High Court directed the police to clarify the legal existence of the disputed document, offering them the opportunity to file an affidavit or present a direct statement.
Swatantra Bhardwaj was originally detained from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh on September 4 and brought to the national capital. A local court permitted a single day of police custody interrogation on September 5. Once the police remand period concluded, he was produced via video conferencing before the court of Special Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler, who extended his detention and sent him to Tihar Jail until September 21.
Reacting to the court decision, Coproach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das shared his views on the social media platform X. He stated that the court dismissed the petition and sent the individual to jail for fourteen days, calling it a significant victory for those who value peace and justice.
The legal proceedings stem from a violent altercation that took place during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar back in June. Swatantra Bhardwaj faces allegations of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, also known as Sanjay Azad, who is the father of a student activist. The controversy escalated significantly after a podcast clip surfaced online in which Bhardwaj claimed he had cracked the skull of the victim during the protest, though he later claimed it was an act of self-defense.
Authorities subsequently expanded the scope of the investigation by adding stringent provisions to the case. Police previously noted that while the initial injuries appeared simple and were allegedly caused by a steel bangle, provisions under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act along with criminal intimidation charges were later incorporated. Furthermore, a separate case has been filed against Bhardwaj under the POCSO Act following a complaint by a minor student activist who alleged online harassment and threats after speaking out about the attack on his father.
