Delhi Court Remands Swatantra Bharadwaj to Judicial Custody Amid POCSO Charges, Lawyer Warns of Jail Attack Risks
· India · Hindustan Times, Times of India, LiveMint
Swatantra Bharadwaj, the 21-year-old right-wing content creator, was sent to one-day judicial custody by a Delhi court on Sunday after his arrest for allegedly assaulting a student activist’s father during protests at Jantar Mantar in June. His lawyer, Piyush Jain, warned that Bharadwaj faces risks of being attacked in jail by 'anti-national elements' and urged the government to ensure security inside Tihar Jail. Additional charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were reportedly filed against him, though Jain dismissed the allegations as fabricated. The case will now proceed in a special court designated for SC/ST matters, while the initial remand was secured via video conferencing. The lawyer also highlighted that the POCSO Act was invoked after a two-month delay, raising concerns about the timing and intent behind the charges.
Why it matters
Bharadwaj’s legal troubles and the allegations against him could escalate tensions between right-wing and left-wing groups in Delhi, with potential implications for free speech and public safety in the capital. The invocation of the POCSO Act adds complexity to the case, raising questions about the motives behind the charges and their impact on Bharadwaj’s defense.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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