Jantar Mantar attack row: Delhi Police add attempt to murder, SC/ST charges; ensure Swatantra Bhardwaj’s arrest within 72 hours, says CJP
Nishu Aazad along with his father Sanjay Azad, Army Chief Bhim Chandra Shekhar Aazad, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka outside the Parliament Police Station in New Delhi on September 4, 2026 | Photo credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
The Delhi Police on Friday (September 4, 2026) amended the FIR in the alleged attack on student activist Nishu Aazad’s father, Sanjay Kumar, during a protest at Jantar Mantar, adding provisions for attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons and Scheduled Castes and Prevention provisions.
The move followed hours of protests and talks between representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including spokesperson Saurav Das, co-organiser Ashutosh Rank and Ms Azad, and senior police officers at the Parliament Street police station, while their supporters staged a sit-in outside the police station.
Their representation sought stronger charges and action against Swatantra Bhardwaj after a video surfaced online of him allegedly talking about the attack and claiming he “wasn’t jailed” because of “political connections”.
VIDEO | Delhi: CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, co-organiser Ashutosh Ranka and others will reach the Parliament Street police station in connection with the case of injury to one of their supporters during the Jantar Mantar protests.#CJP#DelhiNews#JantarMantarProtest
(Full video… pic.twitter.com/iRWlMnl954
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 4, 2026
The CJP representatives said that the police had assured them of arresting the accused within 72 hours. “The police complied with our request. Sections 307 (Section 109 BNS), 326 (Section 118 para. 2 BNS) and the SC/ST Act will be added to the FIR. The accused will also be arrested within 72 hours, they assured. They are on it,” they said after the meeting.
They also sought verification of Mr Bhardwaj’s claim that Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra had “called the police to ensure he was not arrested”.
Mr Das claimed the police had earlier refused to add stricter provisions despite the seriousness of the injuries. Describing the wound, he said, “Sanjayji’s skull was cracked. The dimensions of the wound were so large that it clearly warranted an attempt to murder in the FIR.”
He also claimed that other persons accompanying Mr. Bhardwaj during the incident were not identified and alleged that some subsequently released videos threatening Ms. Aazad.
Ms Aazad said the incident and subsequent online abuse had taken a toll on her. “People sent me rape threats, abused me, made and shared very disgusting stickers on me. I also filed a complaint against such individuals and an FIR was also registered against them. I was even ashamed to step out of the house. After this incident, I could not go to school for 2-4 weeks,” she said.
“The police have not responded so far, but they are responding now and I hope they will continue to respond and I won’t have to go through this again,” she added.
However, the police disputed the CJP’s account of injuries and denied allegations of political interference in the case.
In New Delhi, DCP Sachin Sharma said Mr. Sanjay sustained head injuries from a kada (metal bracelet) worn by the accused during the scuffle.
According to the police, Mr. Sanjay was medically examined at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and the injuries were considered minor. Police said the injury was caused by a vat, not a gun, and that the claim of a fractured skull was not supported by the medical examination report.
Friday’s protest took place amid a heavy police presence outside the station. Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also joined the CJP representatives during the talks.
The row stems from the CJP’s long-running protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in competitive exams and her march to Parliament on July 20, when thousands of protesters gathered in Delhi on the opening day of the monsoon session.
Published – 04 Sep 2026 12:13 IST