{
  "id": 5571887,
  "title": "Union Minister Chirag Paswan Files Complaint Against Swatantra Bharadwaj Over Jantar Mantar Assault Claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/union-minister-chirag-paswan-files-complaint-against-swatantra",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T13:27:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/union-minister-chirag-paswan-files-complaint-against-swatantra-bharadwaj-over-jantar-mantar-assault-claims"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Union Minister Chirag Paswan has filed a formal complaint against Swatantra Bharadwaj over allegations made in a podcast about an assault that occurred during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Paswan, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief, expressed concern over the seriousness of such claims, stating that if someone had seriously injured another to the point of potentially fatal harm, an investigation should be conducted fairly by the Delhi Police to establish the facts.\n\nIn a statement to reporters in Patna, Paswan rejected any personal association with Bharadwaj, emphasizing that mere photographs taken with political figures do not imply a personal relationship. He alleged that his name was being exploited for political gain and announced that he was taking legal action against such misuse of his name.\n\nThe controversy intensified after Bharadwaj, while discussing the Jantar Mantar incident on a podcast, referred to Paswan and BJP leader Kapil Mishra as being like his \"brothers.\" This remark fueled allegations that political influence had prevented proper actions from being taken against him. Swatantra Bharadwaj subsequently claimed that he would be booked under sections related to the SC/ST Act following a meeting with Delhi Police officials.",
  "summary": "Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has said he has filed a formal complaint against Swatantra Bharadwaj over claims made in a podcast regarding the alleged assault on activist Nishu Azad's father during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Paswan seeks fair investigation Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said it was a serious matter for someone to publicly…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Will set a very wrong example’: Chirag Paswan backs Jantar Mantar assault victim’s family, seeks action",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/will-set-a-very-wrong-example-chirag-paswan-backs-jantar-mantar",
        "published": "2026-09-04T15:10:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Union minister Chirag Paswan’s party seeks FIR against ‘influencer’ Swatantra Bhardwaj, calls for strict action",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/union-minister-chirag-paswans-party-seeks-fir-against-influencer",
        "published": "2026-09-04T17:20:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}