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Union Minister Chirag Paswan has filed a formal complaint against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj for misusing his name to claim political protection during a violent incident.
In a significant legal development, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has filed a formal complaint with New Delhi’s Parliament Street police against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj. The complaint accuses Bhardwaj of falsely and publicly invoking Paswan’s name to claim political protection in connection with the assault on the father of a student activist. This incident occurred during protests at Jantar Mantar in July, where Bhardwaj allegedly claimed responsibility for severe physical violence against the victim.
The complaint, dated September 4, was filed by advocate Sushil Kumar, the national president of the party’s legal cell. It seeks the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Bhardwaj and demands strict action. Crucially, the filing requests that the police formally place on record that neither Paswan nor the LJP (Ram Vilas) has any connection with the influencer or the specific incident. This legal maneuver aims to protect Paswan’s reputation from what the party describes as false public claims made in his name.
The complaint explicitly states, “First, it should be made clear that neither Chirag Paswan nor the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has any kind of connection with Swatantra Bhardwaj.” It further emphasizes that the party stands formally with student activist Nishu Aazad and her father, Sanjay Kumar. By seeking action against Bhardwaj for his alleged conduct, the party aims to distance itself from the violence while asserting its support for the victims of the assault.
The legal action follows the resurfacing of a video clip in which Bhardwaj is seen boasting about his role in the incident. In the footage, Bhardwaj claims he had “cracked the skull” of Nishu Aazad’s father during a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protest. He also asserted that he managed to avoid being jailed due to his supposed political connections. In the video, Bhardwaj invokes the names of several political leaders, stating, “Kapil Mishra is my elder brother… Chirag Paswan is my elder brother… I have everyone’s support.” This direct invocation of Paswan’s name forms the basis of the current complaint regarding the misuse of identity.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, Paswan publicly distanced himself and his party from Bhardwaj. He stated that while many people come to meet politicians, claiming personal acquaintance without verification amounts to misuse of their name. Paswan highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that Bhardwaj’s open admission to beating someone so severely that it could have led to death is alarming. He urged the Delhi Police to conduct an impartial investigation, warning that failing to act would set a wrong example for the country.
Meanwhile, the Parliament Street police have escalated the legal response. Several provisions have been added to the existing FIR against Bhardwaj, including Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation. The charges also include provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with attempts to murder and grievous injury. This expansion of charges reflects the gravity of the physical assault alleged in the incident.
In a related development, the police have registered a fresh FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This case stems from a complaint by the minor victim, alleging online threats and harassment. The new case includes BNS Sections 78 and 79, relating to stalking and outraging modesty, as well as Section 67 of the Information Technology Act concerning obscene material. This indicates a multi-faceted legal approach to address both the physical violence and the subsequent digital harassment.
Paswan reiterated his support for Ms. Aazad and her father, stating that ensuring justice for the victim’s family was his party’s responsibility. He emphasized that the use of his name to suggest political protection was a serious misuse of his identity. The Union minister’s formal complaint serves as a definitive attempt to sever any perceived political ties with the influencer and to hold him accountable for his violent actions and false claims. The case underscores the delicate intersection of political influence, social media behavior, and legal accountability in the wake of the Jantar Mantar protest violence.
The filing of this complaint marks a critical juncture for political accountability in the digital age. By formally denying connection to Bhardwaj and seeking strict legal action, Paswan attempts to neutralize the political capital the influencer gained by misusing his name. If the police investigations into both the physical assault and the digital harassment proceed without interference, it could set a precedent that political figures cannot be used as shields for violence. Conversely, any perceived lack of action against Bhardwaj despite the added charges could fuel narratives of political impunity. The outcome will likely influence how other influencers and political parties navigate the line between free speech, political association, and criminal liability in future disputes involving public protests and online activism.
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