Swatantra Bhardwaj who assaulted student’s father at CJP protest flees from Bulandshahr: Delhi Police | Delhi News
NEW DELHI: Hours after the Delhi Police assured CJP that it will arrest Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting a student’s father during the Jantar Mantar protest, he managed to flee from Bulandshahr before the team reached there to nab him, sources told news agecny PTI on Friday.According to PTI, Bharadwaj had left Naithla village on a Bullet motorcycle towards Khurja and was wearing a helmet to conceal his identity, they said.Several police teams in plain clothes were deployed to locate him. During the search, police also questioned local journalists. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend Bharadwaj.The development follows a viral video clip from an interview with Bharadwaj in which he claimed to have “cracked the skull” of Sanjay Kumar, Nishu’s father, during a protest at Jantar Mantar.The CJP, which had organised the protest, has been demanding Bharadwaj’s arrest and alleging that police failed to take adequate action against him.The controversy intensified on Thursday after police said 38-year-old Kumar had suffered a simple head injury in a scuffle and rejected claims that his skull had been fractured.CJP supporters gathered outside the police station, raising slogans demanding justice for Nishu and action against Bharadwaj.Nishu said police had assured the delegation that Bharadwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.“Police said they will arrest Swatantra in 72 hours. We believe they will take action and not keep delaying it as they were doing,” she told reporters.Nishu also alleged that she had faced verbal abuse and rape threats following the incident and said she had filed an FIR.“I was ashamed of even stepping out. For a few weeks I could not go to school, I feel everyone is judging me. I hope police will take action,” she said.Rishabh, associated with the AICC law department, said the delegation had demanded that charges of attempt to murder, provisions of the SC/ST Act and criminal intimidation be added to the FIR.“The demand was to add significant charges left out –attempt to murder, SC/ST Act, criminal intimidation charges. They agreed and assured that in 72 hours he will be arrested,” he said.He said police had also assured the delegation that a separate FIR would be registered over alleged online abuse and objectionable images targeting Nishu.Das said the Additional DCP had committed to adding attempt-to-murder and SC/ST Act provisions to the FIR relating to the alleged attack on Nishu’s father.“Goons like Swatantra Bharadwaj came to Jantar Mantar. Did Delhi Police not identify them? He committed attempt to murder. Delhi Police is saving him, no action was taken,” Das said.He said police had also assured them that an FIR would be registered over threats to Nishu and that provisions of the POCSO Act would be added.“Delhi Police has assured action in 72 hours. We hope Delhi Police will not allow goons to have a free hand,” Das said.Das said the CJP representatives would return to the police station if the police failed to fulfil its commitments.“We came here, talked to Delhi Police. If they don’t fulfil the commitment, we will have to come back. Delhi Police should fulfil its commitment. We are standing with the students,” he said.The CJP has also questioned why Bharadwaj was allowed to remain free after the Jantar Mantar incident.Chandrashekhar Azad criticised the police for not taking action against Bharadwaj.“We have all seen how the accused has publicly appeared on television channels and admitted to the allegations against him. He has said that they wanted to kill the victim, that they attacked her and that she suffered injuries. Yet, the police did not arrest them,” Azad said.“They were simply served notices and allowed to leave. The accused is intimidating the victim. He is putting up status updates, threatening to disturb the peace of the country and targeting Muslims. He is doing everything that could harm the country’s communal harmony and unity,” he said.Azad said Nishu had been repeatedly threatened with rape, being burnt with acid and being killed.“They are terrified. If this is the situation in the national capital, one can imagine what the situation must be like in rural areas. We met the police officials, and they assured me that they were looking into the matter and would make arrests…” he said.
What did Swatantra Bharadwaj claim?
In the one-hour interview, which is available on YouTube, Bharadwaj also claimed to have political connections.“I have the blessings of Hanuman upon me. And secondly, Kapil Mishra is my elder brother. They say Kapil Mishra called and I was released. Chirag Paswan is my elder brother. How many leaders do you know? Do you know Modi ji? Modi ji is also my elder brother. I have everyone’s support,” he said.Das called on senior BJP leaders to respond to the claims.“If the goon is openly saying Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan made the calls and he was released, top leaders of BJP should clarify on this,” he said.The CJP said it would return to the police station if Delhi Police failed to fulfil the assurances given to the delegation.
