Swatantra Bhardwaj remanded for 1 more day, faces fresh FIR under POCSO charges

Delhi Police have registered a second FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj over alleged online harassment and threats targeting a minor linked to the Jantar Mantar protests. The case adds POCSO, stalking and intimidation allegations to the wider controversy, even as investigators examine digital evidence.All the sections invoked in the second case are bailable offences. (File Photo: ITG)Details of the second First Information Report (FIR) filed against activist and influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj have been accessed, with Delhi Police invoking provisions related to stalking, insulting the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation and sexual harassment of a child.The fresh FIR includes Section 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for stalking, Section 79 for insulting the modesty of a woman and Section 351 for criminal intimidation.It also invokes Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexual harassment of a child and Section 67B of the Information Technology Act.According to the FIR details, the sections were added by Delhi Police following legal advice. WHY WAS DELHI POLICE LOOKING FOR BHARDWAJ?Bhardwaj was arrested in connection with a separate case involving the assault of the father of a 14-year-old Dalit protester - including a claim of 'cracking a skull' - during a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 23.The protest was linked to demands raised by students and young people over examination irregularities, paper leaks and recruitment-related issues. Bhardwaj was accused of assaulting the minor’s father during the agitation. The case drew wider attention after Bhardwaj spoke about the incident in a video and appeared to claim that he had attacked the protester’s father. His comments triggered outrage among members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had been organising the protests.Bhardwaj was also accused of claiming political protection following the incident, further intensifying the controversy around the case.The CJP and opposition leaders subsequently demanded his arrest and questioned the police response to the assault. Protests were held seeking action against him, eventually leading to increased pressure on Delhi Police to trace and arrest the accused.Delhi Police later detained Bhardwaj in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, and arrested him in connection with the assault case.BHARDWAJ SENT TO ONE-DAY CUSTODYAfter his arrest, Bhardwaj was produced before the Duty Magistrate at the Patiala House Court complex.He appeared before the court through video conferencing and was subsequently remanded to one-day police custody. The matter will be heard tommorrow.The court proceedings came amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged assault at Jantar Mantar. Police are examining the circumstances of the incident and gathering evidence as part of the probe.FRESH FIR OVER ONLINE HARASSMENTThe second FIR adds another layer to the case. It concerns of online harassment and threats targeting a minor who was associated with the protests.The FIR invokes Section 78 of the BNS, which deals with stalking. The provision carries a punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine in the relevant circumstances.Section 79 of the BNS deals with words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman. It carries imprisonment of up to three years and a fine.Section 351 of the BNS concerns criminal intimidation. The provision cited in the FIR carries a punishment of up to two years in the relevant circumstances.Section 12 of the POCSO Act deals with sexual harassment of a child and carries imprisonment of up to three years and a fine.Section 67B of the Information Technology Act deals with electronic material involving children in sexually explicit acts or conduct and carries imprisonment and a fine.ALL SECTIONS IN SECOND FIR BAILABLEAccording to the legal assessment cited in the FIR details, all the sections invoked in the second case are bailable offences.This means that an arrest is not automatically mandatory merely because these provisions have been invoked. However, the bailable nature of the offences does not prevent police from investigating the or taking further legal steps in accordance with the law.Investigators can examine social media accounts, digital records and other evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the and identify other people who may have been involved.CHIRAG PASWAN ALSO COMPLAINED AGAINST BHARDWAJThe controversy surrounding Bhardwaj has also extended beyond the Jantar Mantar assault case.Politician Chirag Paswan filed a complaint against Bhardwaj, accusing him of misusing Paswan’s name. The complaint added another dimension to the surrounding the activist’s public statements and conduct.Bhardwaj’s arrest and the subsequent cases have also raised questions over his appearances and statements in videos, as well as the legal provisions being invoked against him.The latest FIR is separate from the case concerning the physical assault at Jantar Mantar. While the first case relates to the attack on the protester’s father, the second FIR concerns involving online harassment and threats against a minor.The Delhi Police investigation into both matters is underway.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 14:55 IST