Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has been detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, according to police sources.
The case is linked to a June 23 protest over alleged examination paper leaks. Kumar, the father of a student protester, was reportedly injured during a scuffle after an argument over filming the demonstration.
Delhi Police registered an FIR against Bhardwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The case gained fresh attention after a podcast clip allegedly showed Bhardwaj making claims about the assault, triggering demands for action from protest leaders and Opposition parties.
Police have also added provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and are examining the viral podcast as part of the investigation.
Bhardwaj has denied deliberately attacking Kumar, claiming that he acted in self-defence. Police are expected to question him further regarding the incident and his alleged remarks.