Student involved in CJP’s demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Nishu Azad Delhi Police has registered another FIR in the case of alleged attack on father Sanjay Azad. According to the police, based on the complaint, this new FIR has been registered under the POCSO Act, because the victim in the case is a minor. Delhi Police also said that sections of SC/ST Act have also been added to the earlier registered FIR. This means that the case is now being investigated under more serious legal provisions than before.
However, according to Delhi Police, Swatantra Bhardwaj has not been arrested yet. This information has come out from the police at a time when continuous demonstrations and pressure are being created demanding the arrest of the accused in the case of alleged attack on Nishu Azad’s father.
In the case, the protesters had earlier demanded the police to add serious sections and immediate arrest of the accused. Now information about new FIR under POCSO Act and addition of SC/ST Act in the first case has come to light. At present, the police has said that the accused will not be arrested. It has come to light that further action will be taken on the basis of investigation and available evidence.
Earlier, news had come that Swatantra Bhardwaj has been taken into custody from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, he tried to escape from custody, but was later caught. In a video clip of an interview that went viral on social media, Bhardwaj was seen saying that he had broken the head of Nishu’s father Sanjay Azad during the protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, after which he had to get 60 stitches.
Pressure increased after CJP’s performance
On Friday, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had demonstrated outside Sansad Marg Police Station. The protesters demanded that Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of the alleged attack on Sanjay Kumar, should be arrested. Azad Samaj Party chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad also participated in the demonstration along with his supporters. The protesters alleged that despite Bhardwaj’s alleged public statement, the Delhi Police has not taken adequate action so far.
The protesters also demanded imposition of sections of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and SC/ST Act in the case. The police had reportedly assured the delegation of arresting the accused within 72 hours.
However, Delhi Police had earlier said that during the Jantar Mantar protest, Bhardwaj and another accused Suraj Kumar were detained and interrogated and they were also given notice. Police said that the investigation of the case is going on and further chargesheet will be filed.
Controversy started from viral interview
The controversy escalated further when a clip of Bhardwaj’s almost an hour long interview went viral on social media. In this he describes himself as a ‘staunch Hindu’. In the viral video, he was allegedly heard talking about the attack on Sanjay Kumar and not going to jail in the case. The statement related to him in the video mentioned Section 307 and claimed that Sanjay Kumar was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
Bhardwaj also reportedly mentioned his political contacts and took the names of BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Delhi Police has denied that there was any interference in police action on the basis of these alleged political contacts.
Police have a different take on the claim of head fracture
An important controversy in this case is also regarding the injury of Sanjay Kumar. It was claimed by the protesters that he suffered serious head injuries and required 60 stitches. At the same time, Delhi Police has given separate information on these claims. According to the police, Sanjay Kumar suffered a minor head injury during the clash and a case was registered based on his complaint.
According to police sources, after adding sections of SC/ST Act, medical examination of the victim will be done again. After this, on the basis of investigation, it will be decided whether there is a need to impose serious section like attempt to murder in the case or not.
Nishu also made allegations of threat
Amidst this entire controversy, Nishu Azad herself has made allegations of threats and online harassment. She says that after the complaint and FIR regarding the alleged attack on her father, she was abused and threatened with rape on social media. Nishu said that due to these incidents she was mentally disturbed and was afraid to go to school for some time. He has appealed to the police to take action in the matter.
Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad also raised questions on the action of Delhi Police. He alleged that despite the public statements of the accused, the police did not take timely action. He also alleged that the accused was trying to scare the victim and was posting content that could create communal tension.
Police denies allegations of political pressure
The CJP and others involved in the protest had alleged political influence behind the delay in the arrest of the accused. However, Delhi Police has rejected the allegations of political interference.
Now after the custody of Swatantra Bhardwaj from Bulandshahr, the investigation of the case is expected to move forward. According to the police, further action will be taken on the basis of investigation and available evidence. The seriousness of Sanjay Kumar’s injury and which sections will be applicable in the case will also become clear after the completion of the investigation.