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Delhi Police have registered a POCSO case against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, while adding provisions under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR concerning the alleged assault of the father of a minor protester during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar in July.

Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on Friday (September 4), hours after the CJP held a protest outside the Parliament Street police station. The protesters were demanding his arrest over the alleged assault.

More charges added to FIR

CJP co-convener Saurav Das said Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which concerns criminal intimidation involving a threat of death, has been added to the FIR. Provisions under the SC/ST Act have also been included.

Also Read: Activist’s claim of ‘cracking skull’ at CJP protest sparks Oppn attack on Delhi Police

Das said provisions relating to “attempt to murder or attempt to culpable homicide” would be added shortly, adding that the legal team was also pressing for the inclusion of a provision concerning grievous injury.

Bhardwaj detained after remarks

The police action came following an interview in which Bhardwaj claimed he had “cracked the skull” of the minor activist’s father during the July 20 protest. He also claimed that his political connections had helped him escape arrest.

Also Read: Delhi Police detain activist Swatantra Bhardwaj after CJP protest

“I cracked the skull… Do you know which section this crime attracts? Section 307. He needed 60 stitches,” Bhardwaj had said in the interview.

Delhi Police had earlier said Sanjay’s injuries were simple in nature and were caused by a steel bracelet. Bhardwaj later claimed in a podcast that he had acted in self-defence.

Fresh POCSO case over threats

In a separate development, police registered a fresh FIR under the POCSO Act on a complaint by the minor activist, alleging online threats and harassment. The case also invokes BNS Sections 351(3), 78 (stalking) and 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), besides Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, Das said.

The minor activist had earlier alleged that she received rape threats, verbal abuse and morphed images after speaking out against the alleged assault on her father and filing a police complaint.

“Our lawyer Shivansh Agarwal is currently at the police station and following up with the police to ensure they fulfil their commitments,” Das said in a post on X.

Police confirm fresh FIR

A senior Delhi police officer confirmed that a fresh FIR has been registered under the charges of POCSO, but refused to share any more details, citing that it involves a minor.

The developments came after CJP representatives, accompanied by Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, met police officials at the Parliament Street police station and sought action against Bharadwaj.

Also Read: Swatantra Bhardwaj case: Does 72-hour deadline suggest a perfunctory probe?

The delegation had also demanded the addition of attempt-to-murder, criminal intimidation and SC/ST Act provisions to the case and a separate FIR over alleged rape threats and online abuse targeting the minor activist.

LJP lodges complaint

Meanwhile, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Friday filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for “falsely and publicly” citing its president Chirag Paswan’s name, in connection with an assault on the father of a student activist during a CJP protest in July.

Seeking protection from his “false” public claims, the complaint said that neither Paswan nor the party has anything to do with Bhardwaj. It also said that the party stood with the activist and her injured father.

A senior police officer said the complaint is being looked into for further action, adding that no case has been registered yet. The complaint has been lodged by the party’s legal cell at Parliament Street police station in New Delhi district.

(With agency inputs)