Swatantra Bhardwaj granted three-week interim bail by Delhi court

The Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted three weeks of interim bail to social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj. The ruling, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler, comes amid an ongoing legal case involving an alleged assault during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in June 2026.

Bhardwaj faces multiple charges, including provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation. A separate FIR has also been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The assault allegedly targeted the father of a Dalit student-activist. While the defense argues the incident was an act of self-defense and that the arrest was politically motivated, the prosecution contends that casteist slurs were used during the confrontation.

The interim bail is subject to strict conditions. Bhardwaj must post a Rs 50,000 bond and a surety of the same amount. He is prohibited from making social media posts, giving interviews, or issuing public statements regarding the case, the complainant, or the complainant’s family. Additionally, he is barred from contacting or influencing any prosecution witnesses. The court has directed the police to submit a report regarding his conduct during this period, which will be considered during his regular bail plea, currently scheduled for October 6.