Swatantra Bhardwaj, a self-styled right-wing influencer, was arrested by the Delhi Police in Bulandshahr on Monday. His legal counsel argued in the Delhi High Court that this action was audacious, given that the Supreme Court had previously quashed all FIRs related to the Jantar Mantar protests that took place in June. This development raises questions about the enforcement of judicial decisions and the actions of law enforcement agencies.
Bhardwaj was held in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on Friday after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held a protest outside the Parliament Street police station demanding his arrest over the alleged assault. The counsel made the remarks as the court took up a habeas corpus petition against his client’s custody for three days. On the same day, the Delhi Police added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR against Bhardwaj in connection with the alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar, the father of a teenage student activist, during the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar in June.
The court, however, dismissed the plea and sent him to 14-day judicial custody.
“The SC has already quashed all the FIRs and the Delhi Police had the audacity to go to Bulandshahr and arrest me,” the counsel was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
Judicial Custody for Influencer Facing Serious Charges
Swatantra Bhardwaj, an influencer, has been placed in 14-day judicial custody in connection with the Jantar Mantar case. In addition to this ongoing situation, he is also involved in a separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against him.
