Delhi Court Reserves Order On Swatantra Bhardwaj's Bail Plea In CJP Protester Assault Case - Live Law

**Delhi Court Reserves Order on Swatantra Bhardwaj’s Bail Plea in CJP Protester‑Assault Case**

The Delhi Metropolitan Court on Thursday reserved its order on the bail petition of Swatantra Bhardwaj, a self‑styled social‑media influencer who has been charged with assaulting the father of a Dalit activist during a protest against the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The incident, which took place on 12 January 2024 outside the Supreme Court premises, led to the filing of a police FIR under Sections 324 and 354 of the Indian Penal Code, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim, identified as Mahendra Kumar, suffered injuries that required medical attention, prompting a swift investigation and the arrest of Bhardwaj on 15 January.

During the hearing, the prosecution argued that the gravity of the offence and the alleged motive—targeting a Dalit activist’s family as a warning to dissenting voices—warranted continued detention. Bhardwaj’s counsel, however, contended that the allegations were politically motivated and that the accused had cooperated with investigators. On 28 February, the court had granted Bhardwaj a three‑week interim bail, imposing conditions that included surrendering his passport, reporting to the police station every Friday, and refraining from contacting any witnesses. The current reservation of the order indicates that the judges will consider additional submissions before issuing a final decision on whether the interim bail will be extended or converted into regular bail.

The case has drawn national attention, with Dalit rights groups condemning the alleged assault as an attempt to intimidate activists, while right‑leaning commentators have described Bhardwaj as a “vigilante” acting in defense of traditional values. Legal experts note that the outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle bail applications in politically sensitive protest‑related offences, especially those involving alleged caste‑based violence. The final order is expected within the next two weeks, after which the matter will proceed to trial.