What charges were filed against Swatantra Bhardwaj after his arrest?

Swatantra Bhardwaj was initially charged under BNS sections 115(2) for causing simple hurt and 126(2) for wrongful restraint. Following protests, additional sections under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also registered.

Why did Chirag Paswan file a complaint against Swatantra Bhardwaj?

Chirag Paswan filed a complaint against Swatantra Bhardwaj for falsely claiming political backing from him, which he stated was a misuse of his name to suggest that no action was being taken against Bhardwaj.

How did Swatantra Bhardwaj justify his actions during the protest?

Swatantra Bhardwaj claimed his actions were in self-defense, suggesting that he had been provoked and feared for his safety, asserting that he only acted because he felt threatened during the protest.

Delhi Police arrest viral ‘influencer’ Swatantra Bhardwaj, sent to one-day remand: Report

Swatantra Bhardwaj, 21, and others are accused of assaulting Sanjay Azad, 38, who had gone to the protest with his daughter on June 23.

Updated on: Sep 5, 2026, 14:26:28 IST

By HT News Desk

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Self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of severely injuring a 38-year-old man during protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in June, was reportedly arrested and sent to one-day police custody on Saturday.

Swatantra Bhardwaj (Instagram/ bhardwaj_swatantra_official)

Bhardwaj, 21, and others are accused of assaulting Sanjay Azad, 38, who had gone to the protest with his daughter on June 23.

The victim, who is a Dalit person, sustained serious head injuries. However, the FIR filed at Parliament Street police station the same day invoked only BNS sections 115(2) (causing simple hurt) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint).

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Bhardwaj was detained briefly on the day of the incident but was released a few hours later. He later claimed on social media that he was friends with senior politicians. He named Union minister Chirag Paswan and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, both from the ruling establishment.

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