The Delhi court has now granted regular bail to Swatantra Bhardwaj in the case concerning the alleged assault of the father of a student activist during a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler of the Patiala House Court.

Bhardwaj had earlier been granted three weeks’ interim bail, after spending more than 10 days in custody. The Court had then noted that his custodial interrogation was complete and that the offences carried a maximum punishment of seven years, while imposing conditions including restrictions on contacting the complainant and witnesses and discussing the case on social media.

The case relates to the alleged assault during the June 23 CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. Bhardwaj was arrested in September after a video in which he allegedly spoke about the incident became public. The Delhi Police had also invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation.