{
  "id": 5732134,
  "title": "Jantar Mantar assault: Swatantra Bhardwaj, who bragged about cracking man's skull, booked under POCSO Act in fresh FIR",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/jantar-mantar-assault-swatantra-bhardwaj-who-bragged-about-cracking",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T06:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/jantar-mantar-assault-swatantra-bhardwaj-who-bragged-about-cracking-mans-skull-booked-under-pocso-act-in-fresh-fir-11788588344726.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Delhi Police registered a fresh FIR against Swatantra Bhardwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations of assault on Nishu Azad's father. Bhardwaj, also known as the self-styled Hindutva influencer, allegedly bragged about attacking Nishu Azad's father during a protest at Jantar Mantar in July. The incident, which Bhardwaj claimed was an act of self-defense, has caused widespread outrage on social media. Bhardwaj, 22, who describes himself as a staunch Hindu, has been accused of causing severe injuries to Nishu Azad's father, necessitating 60 stitches. Despite the viral video circulating online, Bhardwaj maintains that he acted in self-defense and that he has proof in the form of a video.",
  "summary": "Jantar Mantar assault: Police registered a fresh FIR under the POCSO Act on a complaint by the minor activist, alleging online threats and harassment.",
  "key_points": [
    "Swatantra Bhardwaj booked under POCSO Act for assault",
    "Alleged attack on Nishu Azad's father during Jantar Mantar protest",
    "Bhardwaj claims self-defense with video proof"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The fresh FIR under POCSO and other laws escalates the severity of allegations against Swatantra Bhardwaj, suggesting a broader and more serious legal challenge for him in the Jantar Mantar assault case.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}