Union Minister Chirag Paswan files complaint against Swatantra Bhardwaj over ‘misuse’ of name

Union Minister Chirag Paswan. File. | Photo Credit: PTI Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has filed a complaint with New Delhi’s Parliament Street police against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, accusing him of “falsely and publicly” invoking his name to claim political protection in connection with the assault on the father of a student activist during protests at Jantar Mantar in July.The complaint, dated September 4 and filed by advocate Sushil Kumar, national president of the party’s legal cell, seeks registration of an FIR against Mr. Bhardwaj and strict action against him. It also asks the police to formally place on record that neither Mr Paswan nor the LJP (Ram Vilas) has any connection with Mr. Bhardwaj or the incident.The complaint seeks to protect Mr Paswan’s reputation from what it describes as false public claims made by Mr. Bhardwaj and says the party stands with student activist Nishu Aazad and her father, Sanjay Kumar.“First, it should be made clear that neither Chirag Paswan nor the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has any kind of connection with Swatantra Bhardwaj,” the complaint states, while requesting that Mr Paswan’s reputation be protected from the “false claims” being made publicly in his name.It further says the party had “stood formally” in support of Nishu Aazad and her father, and seeks action against Bhardwaj for his alleged conduct.The complaint comes after a video clip resurfaced in which Mr. Bhardwaj is seen claiming that he had “cracked the skull” of Ms. Azad’s father during a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar in July and managed to avoid being jailed because of his political connections.In the video, Mr. Bhardwaj invoked the names of several political leaders while speaking about the incident. “Kapil Mishra is my elder brother… Chirag Paswan is my elder brother… I have everyone’s support,” he claimed.Mr Paswan on Friday (September 4, 2026) publicly distanced himself and his party from Mr. Bhardwaj and said the use of his name to suggest political protection amounted to misuse of his identity.“In public life, many people come to meet us, put their point forth. But if on that basis they claim to be personal acquaintances, then that is a misuse of our name,” Mr Paswan said.“I have lodged a formal complaint against this misuse of my name,” he said, urging the Delhi Police to conduct an impartial investigation.“This incident is extremely serious. The way a person is openly admitting that he beat someone so severely that it could possibly have led to their death. To openly admit this on a podcast and even after that, if no action is taken against him, then I believe this will set a very wrong example before the country and the people,” he said.The Union minister further assured support to Ms Aazad and her father, saying that ensuring justice for the victim’s family was his and his party’s responsibility.Meanwhile, the Parliament Street police have added several provisions to the existing FIR against Mr. Bhardwaj, including Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, attempt to murder and grievous injury.The police have also registered a fresh FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on a complaint by the minor victim alleging online threats and harassment. The case also includes BNS Sections 78 and 79, relating to stalking and outraging modesty, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act concerning obscene material. Published - September 05, 2026 11:38 am IST