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Delhi Jantar Mantar protest: legal and political escalation

Updated 33 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-16 05:44 UTC → 2026-09-17 12:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) continues its campaign following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 25 July 2026, a move triggered by nationwide student protests over exam paper leaks. While the CJP has expanded its focus to include recruitment irregularities in Jharkhand, the legal battle over Jantar Mantar intensifies. A petition by Satish Chand Kaushik has asked the Supreme Court to deem the site unsuitable for large-scale demonstrations. In response, the Delhi High Court has questioned the venue’s continued use, with Justice Amit Mahajan urging the government to consider shutting it down to prevent the city being put “to ransom.” In a court affidavit, Delhi Police defended their use of force, stating it was directed at individuals with “serious criminal histories” rather than peaceful protesters. The police reported using mobile Facial Recognition System (FRS) units to identify suspects, noting a spike in thefts and property crimes at the site between 20 and 26 July. Legal proceedings regarding the alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar, father of activist Nishu Azad, have progressed. Following his arrest in Bulandshahr, social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on 6 September 2026. The case includes charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. On 14 September 2026, the Patiala House Court granted Bhardwaj three weeks of interim bail. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler imposed strict conditions, including a Rs 50,000 bond and a prohibition on making social media posts, giving interviews, or contacting prosecution witnesses regarding the case. The court directed police to report on his conduct during this period, which will be reviewed during his regular bail plea scheduled for 6 October.

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