'Influencer' Swatantra Bhardwaj arrested by Delhi Police, sent to 1-day custody

NEW DELHI: Social media 'influencer' Swatantra Bhardwaj has been arrested by Delhi Police, a day after he was detained in Uttar Pradesh in connection with an alleged assault on the father of a minor activist during CJP protest.According to court sources quoted by news agency PTI, Bhardwaj was produced at the residence of Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler at around 2 pm.His legal aid counsel appeared before the judge through video-conferencing.Bhardwaj was originally expected to be produced physically in the Patiala House courts.The development came as security was tightened outside the Parliament Street police station after supporters of Bhardwaj gathered there to stage a protest.Barricades were put up at strategic points around the police station and paramilitary personnel were deployed as a precautionary measure, a police officer said.Fresh FIR under POCSO ActA fresh FIR was also registered against Bhardwaj under the POCSO Act following a complaint by the minor activist alleging online threats and harassment. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.Delhi Police on Friday also added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR relating to the alleged assault.The action followed backlash over an interview in which Bhardwaj claimed that he had "cracked the skull" of the minor activist's father during the July 20 protest.He later claimed in a podcast that he had acted in self-defence.Delhi Police had earlier said the injuries suffered by Sanjay Kumar were "simple" in nature and were caused by a steel bracelet.The CJP had staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station on Friday, demanding action against Bhardwaj. The group had also sought the addition of attempt-to-murder, criminal intimidation and SC/ST Act provisions to the case.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.