Bhardwaj claimed the injured man suffered serious head injuries and said he avoided jail, while Delhi Police disputed key claims and maintained that the injury was simple.
BY PC Bureau
A video podcast in which Hindutva `extremist’ Swatantra Bhardwaj claimed responsibility for cracking the skull of the father of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protester Nishu Azad has reignited a political controversy over a June clash at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The man, who speaks like a hardcore goon, remains free despite such a confession, where he drops the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two other ministers, and claims he uses the shoes and gear of Delhi Police and enjoys their protection.
Bhardwaj, 21, who is from Darbhanga and lives in Delhi, claimed in a YouTube podcast that he had struck Sanjay Kumar, Nishu’s father, on the head during a CJP protest. He alleged that Kumar required dozens of stitches and was close to death, while also claiming that he did not spend a night in custody because of political backing.
The remarks, made in a roughly one-hour podcast that went viral on September 3, triggered demands from Opposition leaders, CJP supporters and social media users for Bhardwaj’s arrest.
Delhi Police, however, have disputed key elements of the account. Police said Kumar suffered a simple injury during a scuffle after being struck with a kada, and that medical records did not support claims of a fractured skull or 60 stitches. Police also rejected allegations that political intervention secured Bhardwaj’s release.
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Hindutva extremist Swatantra Bhardwaj says
“We roam around as Delhi Police.
Busted a man’s head leaving him with 60 stitches.
Girl was begging for justice but am roaming free.
Have full BJP support”Delhi Police #FactCheck:
“No influence, matter has been dealt with strictly.” pic.twitter.com/RTLoZpLhoB— D (@Deb_livnletliv) September 3, 2026
What Bhardwaj claimed
During the podcast, Bhardwaj said in Hindi, “Nishu ke baap ka hum sir faade hain” — claiming that he had cracked Nishu’s father’s head.
He referred to Section 307 of the IPC, commonly associated with attempt to murder, and claimed Kumar received around 60 stitches and was “almost dying” while being taken to hospital. He also said Nishu had threatened to consume poison outside the police station if her father did not receive justice.
Bhardwaj claimed he was released the following day and “did not even go to jail”, saying he had been roaming around Delhi through the night.
He attributed his protection to political “elder brothers”, naming BJP leader Kapil Mishra, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also made claims about having access to police-style equipment and moving around without paperwork.
The podcast also contained communal remarks targeting Muslims, including calls for boycotts and comments about women wearing burqas.
The June 23 clash
The incident took place on June 23 during the CJP agitation at Jantar Mantar over examination leaks and education policy.
The injured man, identified as 38-year-old Sanjay Kumar of Ghaziabad, is the father of Nishu Azad, a young CJP-linked protester and content creator.
According to the CJP version, Kumar was attacked after he began filming a group that included Bhardwaj. The organisation alleged that a heavy kada was used to strike him on the head and accused police of failing to invoke stronger provisions despite the seriousness of the injury.
CJP members have also alleged that officers refused to add provisions relating to attempt to murder and grievous hurt and asked them to obtain a court order. They further claimed that a phone call allegedly linked to Kapil Mishra helped facilitate Bhardwaj’s release.
These allegations have not been established by any court.
What Delhi Police say
Delhi Police issued a fact-check after the podcast generated widespread outrage.
According to police, Kumar was injured by a kada during a scuffle and the object was not treated as a weapon. The medical examination at RML Hospital described his injuries as “simple in nature”, police said.
Police said a case was registered at Parliament Street police station on the basis of Kumar’s complaint. Bhardwaj and another accused, 24-year-old Suraj Kumar, were detained from the spot, served notices and questioned.
Police said further legal action, including filing of a chargesheet, would follow the investigation.
They also rejected claims that Kapil Mishra intervened to secure Bhardwaj’s release, describing allegations of political interference or a “free pass” as factually incorrect and baseless.
Rahul Gandhi backs Nishu
The controversy gained a political dimension after Nishu publicly appealed for action against those she said had attacked her father.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded by expressing support for her and questioning why the alleged attacker remained free.
निशु, घबराने की ज़रूरत नहीं है। मैं तुम्हारे साथ हूँ।
साफ है कि तुम्हें इसलिए निशाना बनाया गया क्योंकि तुम अपने समुदाय और छात्रों के हक़ की आवाज़ उठाती हो।
अमित शाह की दिल्ली पुलिस एक तरफ़ छात्रों के साथ अमानवीय बर्बरता करती है। दूसरी तरफ़ एक दलित लड़की के पिता का सिर फोड़ने… https://t.co/m1mgH655hw
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 3, 2026
Gandhi said Nishu had been targeted for speaking about her community and students and questioned why police action against students could coexist with what he described as inaction against the alleged attacker of a Dalit protester’s father. He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ended his message with “Jai Bhim” and “Jai Samvidhan”.
Congress leader Pawan Khera and CJP-linked social media accounts also demanded Bhardwaj’s arrest and questioned whether his remarks amounted to an admission of assault.
Social media outrage
The podcast has since shifted attention from the original clash to the apparent contradiction between Bhardwaj’s account and the police version.
Users on X and YouTube have circulated clips from the interview, particularly his claims that he assaulted Kumar, avoided jail and received help from politically influential figures.
Some users have alleged that Bhardwaj was protected because of his political connections, while others have cautioned that statements made during a podcast cannot by themselves establish criminal liability.
Bhardwaj’s social media presence has also come under renewed scrutiny because of his earlier Hindutva and communal posts and his criticism of CJP protesters.
Where the case stands
As of September 4, there was no public report of a fresh arrest of Bhardwaj arising from his podcast remarks.
Police maintain that the original case is being investigated and that Bhardwaj was already detained and questioned following the June 23 incident. A chargesheet is yet to be filed.
CJP and Opposition leaders, meanwhile, argue that the sections invoked in the original case were inadequate and that Bhardwaj’s own statements warrant renewed police action.
The central dispute therefore remains unresolved. Bhardwaj’s podcast account suggests a serious assault followed by a release he attributes partly to political connections. Delhi Police say the injury was simple, the investigation followed due process and allegations of political intervention are baseless.
The legal significance of Bhardwaj’s statements will ultimately depend on the evidence gathered by investigators and how a court assesses the original incident, rather than on the viral podcast alone.
