‘Influencer’ Swatantra Bhardwaj detained over alleged attack on CJP protester’s father - The Indian Express

**Delhi Police Detain Far‑Right Influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj in Assault Case Linked to CJP Protest**

Delhi police have taken Swatantra Bhardwaj, a self‑styled “influencer” with a substantial following on social media, into custody on suspicion of assaulting the father of a protester who had demonstrated against the Chief Justice of India (CJI) earlier this month. According to statements released by the Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred during a rally in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area on 28 August, where Bhardwaj is alleged to have physically attacked the senior citizen, causing a fractured skull. The victim’s son, who was part of the CJI protest, lodged a formal complaint, prompting an FIR (First Information Report) that listed Bhardwaj among the accused.

In the days following the complaint, Bhardwaj reportedly fled to Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on a high‑speed motorcycle (a Royal Enfield Bullet) to evade arrest. While in Bulandshahr, he allegedly boasted about the assault during an hour‑long live podcast, repeatedly claiming he had “cracked his skull” and urging his listeners to support his “patriotic” stance against dissent. The broadcast, which was widely shared on various platforms, drew criticism from civil‑society groups and prompted a coordinated chase by Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police forces. On 2 September, a joint operation led by the Delhi Crime Branch located Bhardwaj at a rented apartment in Bulandshahr and detained him without incident. He was subsequently escorted back to Delhi, where he is being held in custody pending further investigation.

Legal experts note that the case will likely be tried under sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with voluntarily causing grievous hurt and assault with a deadly weapon, given the alleged use of a motorcycle as a means of escape. The police have also opened a separate inquiry into possible violations of the Information Technology Act for the online dissemination of incendiary content that may have incited violence. Bhardwaj has not yet entered a formal statement, and his legal counsel has indicated that he will contest the charges, asserting that the accusations are politically motivated. The incident underscores the growing scrutiny of online personalities who use digital platforms to propagate extremist narratives and engage in real‑world confrontations.