New Delhi: Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in connection with a case involving a minor complainant. Police have also added provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the FIR.
Bhardwaj has not been arrested so far, according to Delhi Police.
The development comes amid a controversy surrounding an alleged assault at Jantar Mantar involving the father of CJP activist Nishu Azad. Bhardwaj has denied the allegations and claimed that the incident was an act of self-defence.
He has also disputed the authenticity of a podcast clip circulating on social media, calling it fake and alleging that his remarks had been taken out of context.
The case has triggered a political row, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressing support for Nishu Azad, while AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal questioned the alleged protection being extended to Bhardwaj. The CJP has also held a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding legal action against him.
