'Swatantra Bhardwaj to be arrested within 72 hours': CJP protester and daughter of assault victim - The Times of India

**Swatantra Bhardwaj to be arrested within 72 hours, Delhi police say** *New Delhi, September 4 2026* – The Delhi Police announced on Sunday that they will arrest Swatantra Bhardwaj, a 25‑year‑old influencer and the daughter of a woman who was assaulted during a protest organized by the Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP). Bhardwaj, who gained notoriety after posting a video in which she boasted about striking a protestor’s father, is alleged to have taken part in the violent clash that erupted on August 28 at the CJP rally in Delhi. Police officials said they have secured a court order authorizing her detention and expect to take her into custody within the next 72 hours.

The assault at the CJP protest left several participants injured, including a male demonstrator whose father, a retired schoolteacher, was allegedly hit on the head by Bhardwaj. The victim’s daughter, who is also a prominent social‑media figure, filed a police complaint, prompting a swift investigation. After the incident, Bhardwaj fled Delhi, travelling to Bulandshahr on a high‑powered “Bullet” motorcycle. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts enabled authorities to locate her in Bulandshahr, where she was detained on September 2. Local police in the Uttar Pradesh district coordinated with Delhi officials to secure her release into the custody of the Delhi Police.

In a statement released to the media, Bhardwaj claimed her remarks about “cracking the skull” were taken out of context and framed them as a reference to self‑defence, not an admission of assault. Legal experts note that the charge sheet includes sections of the Indian Penal Code covering criminal assault and the use of weapons to cause bodily harm. The case will be presented before a magistrate in Delhi, where Bhardwaj is expected to face interrogation and possible bail hearings. The incident has sparked debate on the role of social‑media influencers in public protests and the adequacy of existing laws to curb online incitement of violence.

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