New Delhi, September 07 (H.S.): Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of assaulting the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar, has challenged his arrest before the Delhi High Court by filing a habeas corpus petition. The High Court has agreed to hear the petition on an urgent basis on Monday.

Bhardwaj's counsel, Advocate Umesh Sharma, mentioned the matter before a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and comprising Justice Tejas Karia. The counsel submitted that Bhardwaj had been in custody for the past three days and sought an urgent hearing of the petition. The court agreed to list the matter for hearing on Monday itself.

Bhardwaj was detained in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday and subsequently arrested by the Delhi Police. He was brought to Delhi under transit remand and was initially sent to one day of police custody. On Sunday, a Delhi court sent him to one-day judicial custody in connection with the case.

The police action followed the circulation of a video podcast in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had assaulted the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar. He later claimed that he had acted in self-defence.

The alleged assault triggered protests by members and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who demanded Bhardwaj's arrest and stronger legal action. Following the protests, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as well as provisions relating to criminal intimidation, were added to the case.

A separate case has also been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in connection with allegations involving threats against the minor student activist.

Bhardwaj has challenged his detention and arrest through the habeas corpus petition and has sought his release, contending that his confinement is illegal. The matter is before the Delhi High Court and remains subject to judicial proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar