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Sanjay Azad also rejected Swatantra Bhardwaj’s claim that he acted in self-defence during the confrontation.
Self-styled ‘influencer’ Swatantra Bhardwaj (File image/ANI)
The father of young Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protester Nishu Azad has levelled serious allegations against self-styled right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, saying that he had been threatening his minor daughter on social media and attacked him during the July 20’s Jantar Mantar protest.
While speaking to CNN-News18 hours after the influencer’s detention, Sanjay Azad said that he had provided evidence of the alleged threats and assault to the Delhi Police and had also registered an FIR, but claimed that no action was taken initially.
“He has been threatening my minor daughter on social media, and he also smashed me on the head,” Sanjay said, adding that he wants stronger charges, including attempted murder, to be included in the FIR.
Responding to a viral video involving him, Sanjay alleged that the clip had been edited. He said the video was recorded on July 23, three days after the July 20 incident, and claimed he posted it after Bhardwaj allegedly continued making threatening videos targeting him and his daughter.
Sanjay also rejected Bhardwaj’s claim that he acted in self-defence during the confrontation.
“I have proof that he attacked me first,” he said, adding that his medical examination documented the injuries he sustained. Sanjay said he would provide the video as evidence and maintained that the case was not fabricated.
What’s The Case?
The controversy escalated after a video of Bhardwaj’s podcast interview went viral, in which he allegedly claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of Nishu’s father. He later claimed that his remarks were sarcastic and that the viral clip had been edited.
“We killed Nishu’s father… Do you know, what kind of crime do you think this is? Half murder. Section 307. Seventh taka was imposed on his head. Banda was lying in the ambulance at the state of death. His daughter was standing outside the police station saying that if my father does not get justice, will he kill us?” he said in the podcast. [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.]
Following the outrage, Bhardwaj backtracked on Friday, stating that his comments about political intervention were entirely “sarcastic” and meant to mock his critics . He claimed the video was heavily edited and that he acted in “self-defense” after being surrounded and pushed by protesters at the site.
What Happened During July 20 Protest?
The physical altercation took place during a CJP-led protest against the alleged NEET-UG exam paper leaks at Jantar Mantar. Sanjay Kumar, who was accompanying his student-activist daughter Nishu Azad, was struck on the head during a scuffle and had to be taken away in an ambulance to receive stitches.
Bhardwaj openly boasted about cracking Kumar’s skull . He claimed that an alleged phone call from BJP leader Kapil Mishra helped him escape prison and named prominent leaders as his “elder brothers” who supported him.
Bharadwaj Detained
Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr on Friday after Delhi Police formed teams to locate him. The development came amid protests demanding his arrest.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have registered a fresh FIR based on a complaint under provisions of the POCSO Act, along with sections of the SC/ST Act, according to sources.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Sanjay Azad, Nishu Azad’s father, alleged that self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj threatened his minor daughter on social media and attacked him during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20. He also claimed Bhardwaj smashed him on the head and that he sustained injuries requiring stitches.
Ask News18About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre…Read More
September 05, 2026, 07:56 IST
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