The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a habeas corpus petition concerning right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj.
Who was arrested last week in connection with the alleged assault of a student activist’s father during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. Bhardwaj’s counsel sought an urgent hearing, stating that he had already spent three days in custody.
Why Was Swatantra Bhardwaj Arrested?
Bhardwaj was arrested on Friday after being detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr. A Delhi court subsequently sent him to one-day police custody on Saturday.
His arrest followed controversy over a video podcast in which he allegedly claimed to have “cracked the skull” of the student activist’s father during the protest. Bhardwaj later said that he had acted in self-defence.
The Delhi Police had earlier described the injuries suffered by the student activist’s father as “simple in nature”.
Bhardwaj Sent to Judicial Custody
On Sunday, a Delhi court sent Bhardwaj to one-day judicial custody in the case, which was registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
He was produced before Duty Magistrate Anjali Singh of the Patiala House Court through video conference.
The habeas corpus plea has now brought the legality of Bhardwaj’s detention before the Delhi High Court.
Supporters Gather Outside Police Station
Meanwhile, several supporters of Bhardwaj gathered outside the Parliament Street police station on Saturday. They demanded withdrawal of the case and called for a fair investigation. The High Court’s hearing on Monday comes as the police investigation and proceedings in the assault case continue.
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