Delhi Court Remands Swatantra Bhardwaj To One Day Of Judicial Custody In CJP Protester Assault Case - livelaw.in

**Delhi Court Remands Swatantra Bhardwaj to One Day of Judicial Custody in CJP Protester Assault Case**

The Delhi Metropolitan Court on Tuesday ordered that influencer and activist **Swatantra Bhardwaj** be placed in judicial custody for a period of one day, extending the 24‑hour police custody he was already serving. Bhardwaj was arrested on suspicion of taking part in an assault on a protester linked to the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJP) during a Dalit‑rights demonstration earlier this month. The court’s decision follows a series of hearings that have seen the case shift between police and judicial custody as investigators continue to probe the alleged stone‑pelting incident and the broader confrontation between Dalit activists and supporters of the judiciary.

The allegations stem from a claim made by a CJP activist that, hours after Bhardwaj’s arrest, stones were hurled at his residence. The protest, which began as a rally against alleged caste‑based discrimination, quickly escalated, leading to the filing of assault charges against several participants, including Bhardwaj and fellow activist Nishu Azad. Lawyers representing the accused have described the hearing as “unusual,” pointing to procedural inconsistencies and suggesting that the rapid escalation of custody orders may be aimed at exerting pressure on the protesters. Political commentary has also surfaced, with ThePrint quoting BJP commentator **Neha Bora** who warned that Bhardwaj represents a “criminal element that the party’s supporters should be wary of.”

The court has scheduled a further hearing for next week to determine whether additional judicial custody is required and to decide on the filing of a charge sheet. Police officials indicated that they are still gathering forensic evidence from the alleged stone‑pelting site and interviewing witnesses. Meanwhile, Dalit rights groups have condemned the arrests as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against dissenting voices, while the CJP’s office has urged a swift and impartial investigation. The outcome of Bhardwaj’s case is likely to influence the ongoing debate over protest rights, caste dynamics, and the perceived politicisation of the judiciary in India.