The pressure group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) claimed another victory on Friday, as an attempt-to-murder case was registered against self-proclaimed Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj under charges of attempt-to-murder, for alleged assaulting the father of a protestor during the party-led agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Earlier on Friday, dramatic scenes ensued in Delhi as CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with supporters of the outfit, marched towards the Parliament Street Police Station, voicing demands of strict action against Bhardwaj.
Swantantra Bhardwaj, Sanjay Kumar and Nishu Azad (Left to Right)
The agitators also staged a sit-in outside the police station and raised slogans against Delhi Police.
The protests unfolded after the circulation of a viral interview, in which Bhardwaj claimed he had assaulted Sanjay Kumar, the factor of CJP protestors Nishu Azad, during the NEET UG 2026 protest led by CJP at Jantar Mantar on July 20. After the interview’s video went viral, CJP accused the Delhi Police of failing to ensure that strict action was taken against Bhardwaj, and demanded justice for Sanjay, who was allegedly assaulted during the protest.
CJP presses police for invoking sections pertaining to attempted murder
Das alleged that Nishu, a minor who had shown up at the protest site, as well as her father were bashed up after members of what he described as a ‘criminal gang’ allegedly infiltrated the peaceful sit-in.
Das said, “There is a minor who has been associated with our protest right from Day One. Her father, Sanjay Ji, also comes with her. When we were holding a peaceful sit-in, some members of a criminal gang entered our protest and resorted to violence.”
He further claimed that after an FIR was registered against Bhardwaj, the CJP continued to press the police to treat the incident as that of an attempt-to-murder and invoke the relevant section. He alleged, “We also demanded that the SC/ST Act be invoked because they belong to a Dalit family. There is also a caste angle to the matter. But the police did not take any such action. When we pressured the police, they told us to approach the court and obtain an order.”
Ranka demands further action
Meanwhile, Ranka levelled allegations against the Delhi Police of failing to act despite repeated calls for justice. He said the CJP would now seek the registration of a murder case in connection with the assault against Kumar.
Ranka asserted, “During a protest at Jantar Mantar, Nishu's father, Sanjay, was beaten up. We kept seeking justice. The situation in Delhi is such now that the criminal is openly admitting to the crime.”
He then alleged that the Delhi Police had failed to act ‘at the behest of the BJP’ and said the CJP continued to stand in solidarity with Nishu and her father.