New Delhi, October 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Patiala House Court has granted regular bail to self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, who was arrested in connection with the alleged assault of the father of a minor activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar in July.
The court had earlier granted Bhardwaj three weeks’ interim bail on September 15 while considering his regular bail plea, subject to conditions.
Bhardwaj is accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, father of a minor protester, during the demonstration. Delhi Police had earlier stated that Kumar’s injuries were “simple” in nature and were allegedly caused by a steel bracelet.
The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections relating to criminal intimidation.
During the hearing of Bhardwaj’s bail plea in September, the Patiala House Court had sought clarification from Delhi Police on the allegation that caste-indicative words were used during the incident.
The prosecution submitted that the original complaint did not contain any allegation regarding such language. It said the allegation was made subsequently during a second statement by the complainant, following which provisions of the SC/ST Act were added to the FIR.
Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district on September 4, hours after representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) met senior Delhi Police officials and demanded his arrest.
The Delhi High Court had earlier dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Bhardwaj challenging his arrest. A Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja rejected the plea after Delhi Police submitted that it was not maintainable since Bhardwaj had already been remanded to judicial custody.
The case had drawn attention after a purported video circulated online in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had assaulted Kumar during the Jantar Mantar protest and attributed his release to his “political connections”. Bhardwaj later told the media that he had acted in self-defence.
Separately, a case was registered against Bhardwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on a complaint by the minor activist, who alleged online rape threats and harassment.
The assault case and related proceedings remain subject to the ongoing legal process.
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