NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Friday marched to Parliament Street Police Station, demanding action against self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj over an alleged assault during a protest at Jantar Mantar.CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and others proceeded to the police station from Patel Chowk in connection with a case involving injuries suffered by one of their supporters during the protest.Speaking to reporters, Saurav said, “There is a minor who has been associated with our protest right from Day One. Her father, Sanjay Ji, also comes with her. When we were holding a peaceful sit-in protest when some members of a criminal gang entered our protest and resorted to violence.”“After the FIR was registered, we continued putting pressure on the police, saying that this was an attempt to murder and that the relevant section should be added. We also demanded that the SC/ST Act be invoked because they belong to a Dalit family. There is also a caste angle to the matter. But the police did not take any such action. When we pressured the police, they told us to approach the court and obtain an order,” he added further.The CJP has accused Delhi Police of failing to take stringent action against Bhardwaj and demanded justice for Sanjay.The protesters raised slogans against Delhi Police.Delhi Police, however, has disputed claims that Sanjay suffered a skull fracture, saying he sustained a minor injury during a scuffle and that a case was registered on his complaint.Security has been stepped up around the police station, with additional personnel deployed and barricades put up to maintain law and order.Also read: ‘I could have been lynched’: Influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj clarifies ‘cracking skull’ claim during CJP protest
Top developments
- Police and security personnel deployed outside Parliament Street Police Station as CJP workers gather seeking the arrest of accused in connection with injuries sustained by one of their supporters during the
Jantar Mantar protest . - Chandra Shekhar Aazad, president of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), also arrived at the Parliament Street Police Station to extend his support to CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. He joined them in seeking justice for CJP leader
Nishu Azad and her father, Sanjay. - Speaking to reporters, Ashutosh Ranka said, “During our protest at Jantar Mantar, one of the supporter’s father, Sanjay Ji, was assaulted and he suffered head injuries. Saurav and our entire team repeatedly demanded that Delhi Police arrest the accused and register an attempt-to-murder case against them, but no action was taken.
- Today, people involved in the incident are openly admitting that they assaulted Sanjay Ji and attempted to kill him. Despite this, Delhi Police has allegedly taken no action against them under the influence of
Kapil Mishra and BJP workers. This is a shameful day for the country and for our democracy. Our entire team has stood with Sanjay Ji, from the very beginning. We demand that Delhi Police immediately arrest those who have identified themselves as being involved, register an attempt-to-murder case against them, and invoke all applicable serious charges,” said Ranka. - “Why are these criminals roaming openly in Delhi? Today, criminals are openly claiming that they attacked the people during the CJP protest. They are also threatening girls. Delhi Police should answer on this. We will not sit silently. We will continue to put pressure. Looking at the Police’s attitude today, we will decide what to do next,” says CJP leader Saurav Das.
- Activist’s father, Sanjay who was allegedly attacked during Jantar Mantar protest, said, “When we fight against injustice and raise our voice against the government, we chant ‘Jai Bhim.’ Some people have a problem with the slogan ‘Jai Bhim.’ As followers of Babasaheb, we knew they would object, and that is why ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans were also raised there. I was attacked during the protest and lodged an FIR but the police’s job seems to be to protect the goons and criminals and weaken the victim.”
What we know so far:
The CJP alleged that Bhardwaj had admitted in a video to attacking people during the protest and questioned why Delhi Police had not taken action against him.In a post on X, the CJP shared the video in which Bhardwaj appears to speak about the alleged incident.“This guy is openly admitting that he attacked people at Jantar Mantar and that BJP leaders provided him immunity from police action afterwards.How much more openly does someone have to admit it before Delhi Police takes action?”Bhardwaj has been accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of student activist Nishu Azad, during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.In the video, Bhardwaj claims that a phone call from Delhi minister Kapil Mishra helped him avoid jail after the alleged assault. He also claims to have the backing of several political leaders, including Union minister Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who questioned why Bhardwaj was not jailed and whether he enjoyed political protection.“I cracked the skull of Nishu’s father. Do you know which section this crime attracts? Section 307. He needed 60 stitches. The man was being taken away in an ambulance in a serious condition. His daughter was standing outside the police station and saying that she would die by suicide if her father didn’t get justice. But I was not even jailed. The world should know this. I was out and about through the night,” Bhardwaj is heard saying in the video.
