Members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marched to the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi on Friday, demanding further action in connection with the alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar, the father of CJP activist Nishu Azad, during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das and co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka were among those who reached the police station with supporters. The protest followed the circulation of a podcast video in which Swatantra Bhardwaj, one of the people named in the case, appeared to describe his involvement in the June confrontation. Bhardwaj has subsequently maintained that he acted in self-defence.
CJP Questions Police Action
CJP leaders have questioned why stronger sections were not added to the case and why Bhardwaj was not arrested after the video surfaced.
Das alleged that the police were reluctant to take further action despite what he described as an admission in the viral video. The organisation has demanded a fresh examination of the case and action against those it alleges were responsible for the assault.
The allegations made by CJP have not been accepted by Delhi Police, which has maintained that the investigation was conducted according to law.
What Happened at Jantar Mantar?
The dispute relates to a confrontation during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on June 23. Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Ghaziabad and father of activist Nishu Azad, sustained an injury to his head during the incident.
According to Delhi Police, Kumar was injured by a metal bracelet, or kada, worn by one of the people involved in the scuffle. He was taken to RML Hospital for medical examination.
Police have specifically rejected claims circulating on social media that Kumar suffered a fractured or “cracked” skull, saying the medical-legal report described the injury as simple in nature.
Viral Podcast Triggers Fresh Row
The issue returned to the spotlight after a podcast featuring Swatantra Bhardwaj circulated widely on social media.
In the video, Bhardwaj appeared to claim that he had struck Sanjay Kumar and discussed the severity of the injury and the fact that he did not spend time in jail. His comments triggered criticism from CJP members and opposition leaders.
However, Bhardwaj later gave a different account, saying the incident was an act of self-defence. He claimed that he had been surrounded by 10 to 15 people and that he acted because he feared he could be seriously harmed. These claims remain part of the competing versions surrounding the incident.
Delhi Police Says Legal Action Taken
Delhi Police has said that the case was registered at Parliament Street Police Station on the basis of Sanjay Kumar's complaint.
Police said Swatantra Bhardwaj, 21, and another person, Suraj Kumar, 24, were detained at the protest site and subsequently questioned. Notices were served during the investigation, and police said legal action had been taken according to the applicable procedure.
The police have also rejected allegations of political interference in the handling of the case and said a chargesheet would be filed before the competent court.
Rahul Gandhi Backs Nishu Azad
The controversy has also drawn political attention after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed support for Nishu Azad on social media.
Gandhi said he stood with Nishu and alleged that she was being targeted for raising issues concerning her community and students. His intervention added a political dimension to the dispute over the police investigation.
CJP members have also linked the latest protest to their broader campaign over the treatment of students during demonstrations in Delhi.
CJP Seeks Stronger Investigation
The organisation has called for stricter action against those it alleges were responsible for the assault and has questioned the police's decision not to invoke more serious provisions at this stage.
For the police, however, the case remains an investigation in which the medical evidence and statements of those involved will determine the applicable legal provisions.
The latest march has therefore brought the June Jantar Mantar incident back into public focus, with CJP demanding stronger police action while Delhi Police maintains that the case has been handled according to established procedure. The competing claims are likely to remain central until further investigation or court proceedings establish the facts.
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