Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj Gets 14-Day Judicial Custody Over Jantar Mantar Attack

A 21-year-old self-proclaimed right-wing influencer, Swatantra Bhardwaj, has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a Delhi court. The order comes after Bhardwaj publicly boasted about injuring the father of a protester during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in June.

Bhardwaj, who hails from Patna and calls himself a 'Sanatani warrior', was detained in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr last week. His arrest followed protests outside a Delhi police station demanding action in the case.

The incident involves an attack on Sanjay Azad, father of activist Nishu Azad, during a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). In a viral podcast, Bhardwaj admitted to the assault, claiming he 'cracked the skull' of the victim, who required 60 stitches. He also bragged about not being jailed despite the severity of the attack.

Bhardwaj's social media presence, which included a substantial following on Instagram and Facebook, has been a point of focus. His accounts featured content related to Hindutva, cow protection, and criticism of government critics. Photographs also showed him at official events and with political leaders, including Union Minister Chirag Paswan.

Paswan has since distanced himself from Bhardwaj, stating that his name was misused. The minister has filed a complaint and called for strict action, saying that the accused's admission of a potentially fatal attack without consequence sets a bad example.