Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of assaulting the father of a student protester during a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has been detained from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, according to police.
As per police sources, Bhardwaj was detained near Dhamra Nara village in Bulandshahr.
The development comes days after a podcast featuring Bhardwaj triggered a political row over his alleged role in the June 23 incident at Jantar Mantar.
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Bhardwaj had been accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of a student who was participating in a protest over alleged examination paper leaks. The FIR registered by Delhi Police names Bhardwaj and Suraj Kumar as accused.
According to the FIR, Kumar was recording the protest on his phone when an argument broke out over the filming. The complaint alleges that the confrontation escalated after two to three other men joined in and assaulted him.
Kumar alleged that he was punched on the head and struck with a hard object resembling an iron bangle. He was subsequently taken to RML Hospital, where his medical examination recorded two lacerated wounds on his head.
Delhi Police initially registered the case under Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The case later came under renewed scrutiny after Bhardwaj appeared in a viral podcast in which he claimed that he had cracked Kumar’s skull and suggested that he had not been jailed despite the alleged assault. Bhardwaj later said his actions were in self-defence and claimed he had video evidence to support his version.
The controversy intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned why Bhardwaj was not in jail and alleged that he was receiving political protection.
Following the political pressure, Delhi Police assured Congress leaders that appropriate provisions relating to attempt to murder and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would be considered. Police also said the podcast would be examined as part of the investigation.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the Delhi Police had assured that Bhardwaj would be arrested within 72 hours, along with action over alleged online threats against the student protester.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
