The Delhi High Court on Monday (September 7) agreed to hear urgently a habeas corpus plea filed by Hindutva supporter Swatantra Bhardwaj, challenging his arrest over the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
The petition was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The bench allowed the matter to be listed during the day.
Advocate Umesh Sharma appeared for Bhardwaj and sought an urgent listing, saying, “The person is in custody for last three days, I am praying that the habeas corpus petition be listed today,” he said.
Bhardwaj arrested after CJP protest
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on September 4, shortly after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held a protest outside the Parliament Street police station. The protesters were demanding his arrest over the alleged assault. He was later arrested.
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The case concerns allegations that Bhardwaj assaulted Sanjay Kumar, the father of a teenage student activist, during a CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar on June 23. Delhi Police later added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR. A POCSO case has also been registered against him.
After his arrest, Bhardwaj was produced at the residence of a sessions judge on September 5. The judge allowed the Delhi Police to conduct one-day custodial interrogation.
On Sunday (September 6), Bhardwaj was produced before a duty magistrate through video conferencing and was sent to judicial custody for one day.
‘Cracked the skull’ remark sparks outrage
The police action followed public outrage over an interview in which Bhardwaj claimed he had “cracked the skull” of the student activist’s father and escaped arrest because of his political connections.
Also Read: Swatantra Bhardwaj arrested, booked under POCSO, SC/ST Act
“I cracked the skull… Do you know which section this crime attracts? Section 307. He needed 60 stitches,” Bhardwaj had said in the interview.
The student had also alleged that she received rape threats, verbal abuse and morphed images after speaking against the alleged assault on her father and filing a police complaint.
(With agency inputs)