On Thursday, the Supreme Court expressed grave concern over the allegations of harassment faced by a minor girl involved in the Cockroach Janta Party protests in July. The court emphasized that no one should intimidate a victim or her family for seeking justice through criminal proceedings. This statement underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the rights of victims in sensitive cases.
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr after the CJP staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station demanding his arrest over the alleged assault. The counsel appearing for the 14-year-old girl told the court that she was harassed and her house was vandalised after she registered the FIR against right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj who claimed in a video that he had attacked her father during the CJP’s protest. Earlier, Delhi Police on September 5 had added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj over the alleged assault on the minor activist’s father during the CJP-led protests.
“There cannot be any second opinion about it. Such matters cannot be taken lightly. Nobody should be protected.
If violence against a child is involved and persons are roaming free and trying to browbeat the child or the family so that they do not pursue the criminal proceedings, then it’s a serious matter,” the CJI led bench observed.
Controversy Erupts Over Activist’s Father’s Injury Claims
Recent backlash has arisen following an interview with Bhardwaj, who alleged that he had “cracked the skull” of an activist’s father during a protest on July 20. He further claimed that he managed to avoid arrest due to his political connections. This statement has sparked significant outrage among the public and activists alike.
