The Delhi Police has informed the court that it will arrest right-wing influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj within 72 hours, according to The Hindu. The assurance was given in connection with an assault case linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Bharadwaj is accused of attacking a protestor during a demonstration. The Hindu reports that the police made the commitment before the court, indicating a timeline for his capture.
Bharadwaj reportedly fled from Bulandshahr on a motorcycle before police could detain him, as per The Times of India. However, India Today states that he was later detained in the same city. The reports also highlight that Bharadwaj, described as a far-right figure, had previously bragged about cracking a man's skull during the incident.
The case stems from a protest involving the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress party. TheWire.in notes that the police have promised an arrest within 72 hours of the Hindutva worker who made the violent claim.
The conflicting reports about his location—first fleeing, then being detained—suggest a rapidly changing situation. The police's court assurance now sets a clear deadline for his formal arrest.
What to watch next is whether the Delhi Police meets its 72-hour deadline and what charges Bharadwaj will formally face.
