Court Grants 3-Week Interim Bail To Swatantra Bhardwaj In Nishu Azad’s Father Assault Case

The Patiala House Court has granted three weeks' interim bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj, who was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Nishu Azad's father during the 'Cockroach Janata Party' protest at Jantar Mantar.

Bhardwaj was arrested in connection with the incident that took place during the protest. The court granted him interim relief for a period of three weeks, IANS reported. The case is linked to the alleged assault on Nishu Azad's father during the protest, which was organised by members of the 'Cockroach Janata Party' at Jantar Mantar on July 20.

The court's order comes as the police investigation into the incident continues. During the bail hearing, Bhardwaj's counsel told the court that an FIR had been registered against his client on June 23, following which police issued a notice on June 27 asking him to appear for questioning.

“I appeared for questioning on June 29. After that, I was allowed to go. Then, after some political developments, I was arrested on September 4. After my arrest, a new FIR (under POCSO Act) was registered,” his lawyer said.

The counsel also claimed that the complainant had attacked Bhardwaj during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest and that a video of the incident was available on social media. “The most surprising thing is that during the (CJP) protest, the complainant himself attacked me.

That video is available on social media. In the video, it is clear that I had fallen, and the police rescued me,” the lawyer said. “Police ko wo video nazar nahi aa raha jis mein clearly dikhai de raha hai ki complainant ne mujh pe attack kiya hai aur main gir gaya hoon,” he added.

The court subsequently played the video clip. During the hearing, Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler asked the Delhi Police whether Bhardwaj had used a casteist slur during the incident. The police said no casteist slur was mentioned when the complaint was initially registered.

However, when the complainant's statement was recorded again later, a casteist slur was mentioned, following which provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked. The complainant's counsel argued that there was no illegality in Bhardwaj's arrest and pointed out that FIRs had been registered against him under the SC/ST Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The judge then directed that the proceedings be held in-camera, following which court staff asked media personnel to leave the courtroom. The Patiala House Court has granted Swatantra Bhardwaj three weeks of interim bail.

He was arrested in connection with an alleged assault during a protest. Bhardwaj was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Nishu Azad's father. This incident occurred during the 'Cockroach Janata Party' protest at Jantar Mantar.

Bhardwaj's counsel claimed that Nishu Azad's father attacked Bhardwaj during the protest. A video purportedly showing this incident is available on social media. Sneha is a Senior Copy Editor at ABP Live English, covering national and global news, politics, and social developments.

She approaches every story with clarity, accuracy, and a reader-focused perspective. She holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication from Central University of Jharkhand.