Delhi Police Files POCSO Case Against Influencer in Jantar Mantar Assault Row

The Delhi Police have registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) against self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, following a complaint by a minor student activist. The new case pertains to alleged online threats and harassment, including rape threats and the sharing of morphed images.

In a related development, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been added to the earlier FIR connected to the physical assault on the activist's father during a protest at Jantar Mantar in July. Police confirmed that Bhardwaj has not been arrested yet but was detained in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The action came after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), along with MPs Chandrashekhar Azad and Pappu Yadav, protested outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding Bhardwaj's arrest. The delegation was assured that action would be taken within 72 hours.

The controversy stems from a viral podcast clip in which Bhardwaj purportedly boasted about cracking the skull of the activist's father during the July protest, claiming he avoided arrest due to political connections. He mentioned several political leaders by name, though there is no evidence of their intervention. Union Minister Chirag Paswan has denied any involvement and lodged a complaint against Bhardwaj.

In his defence, Bhardwaj claimed the incident was an act of self-defence, alleging he was surrounded by a mob and acted to protect himself. He also dismissed the viral clip as fake and said his remarks about political leaders were made in sarcasm.

The minor activist, Nishu Azad, has stated she faced severe online abuse and threats after filing her complaint, which made her hesitant to step out or attend school. Political figures, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, have criticised the police response and questioned the delay in action against the accused.