Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday lodged a police complaint against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj after the latter claimed in an interview that he had “cracked the skull” of a student activist’s father during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi. Paswan alleged that Bhardwaj had falsely invoked his name in connection with the alleged assault.
The complaint was filed by Paswan’s party legal cell at the Parliament Street police station, seeking action against Bhardwaj and protection from what it described as his misleading public statements. A senior police official said the complaint was under examination and that no FIR had been registered as of Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Delhi Police detained Bhardwaj in Uttar Pradesh, hours after CJP members demonstrated outside the police station seeking his arrest over the alleged attack.
In the interview clip that triggered the controversy, Bhardwaj claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of the activist’s father during a CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar in July. He said the man suffered an injury that required 60 stitches and claimed that he had managed to stay out of jail despite the alleged assault.
Bhardwaj also claimed to have backing from several political leaders, including Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan. “I have the blessings of Lord Hanuman upon me. And secondly, Kapil Mishra is my elder brother... Chirag Paswan is my elder brother,” he said.
However, there is no evidence to show that any of the politicians named by Bhardwaj intervened in the matter or helped him avoid legal action.
Paswan alleged that Bhardwaj had improperly used his name and those of other political figures and called for action against him. “No action despite the accused admitting to an attack that could have been fatal sets a bad example; I take responsibility for ensuring justice for the family,” Paswan said.
The party’s legal cell clarified that neither Paswan nor the party had any links with Bhardwaj and said they stood in support of the activist and her injured father.
Pictures of Bhardwaj alongside political figures, including Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Kapil Mishra and Paswan, have also emerged.
Meanwhile, CJP members protested outside the Parliament Street police station on Friday, pressing for Bhardwaj’s arrest over the alleged assault.
CJP representatives later met police officials along with Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and MP Pappu Yadav. Police assured them that action would be taken against Bhardwaj within 72 hours.
