Chirag Paswan Moves Against Swatantra Bhardwaj, Says His Name Was Misused in Assault Row

New Delhi: Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has formally complained against right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, accusing him of publicly using the minister’s name to create a misleading impression of political backing.

The complaint comes amid a growing controversy surrounding Bhardwaj and an alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in July. The issue has gained fresh attention after a video from an interview surfaced in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had “cracked the skull” of the activist’s father.

Paswan has now made it clear that neither he nor his political party has any connection with Bhardwaj and has urged the Delhi Police to investigate the matter independently.

Paswan distances himself from Bhardwaj

Speaking to mediapersons on Friday, Paswan said photographs taken with political leaders or public figures should not be interpreted as proof of a personal relationship or political protection.

He said Bhardwaj appeared to have used his name, along with the names of other politicians, to give the impression that he enjoyed political support and that this influence had helped him avoid serious action.

According to Paswan, such claims amount to a misuse of his name.

The minister said that people in public life regularly meet members of the public and often take photographs with them. However, he stressed that such meetings do not establish a personal association or political relationship.

Paswan said he had therefore decided to file a formal complaint and sought appropriate action against Bhardwaj.

‘No action’ claim questioned

The controversy intensified after a video clip from an interview circulated on social media. In the clip, Bhardwaj allegedly spoke about the July incident and claimed that he had seriously injured the father of the student activist.

The remarks reportedly included a claim that the victim suffered a head injury requiring around 60 stitches.

Bhardwaj also allegedly suggested that he had political connections that protected him from being arrested or facing immediate legal consequences.

During the interview, he reportedly referred to several political figures, including Delhi minister Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan, describing them as people who supported or knew him.

Paswan has strongly rejected any suggestion that he or his party intervened on Bhardwaj’s behalf.

Paswan backs the victim’s family

While distancing himself from Bhardwaj, Paswan also expressed support for the student activist and her injured father.

He said his party stood with the victim’s family and that ensuring justice for them was important.

Paswan argued that allowing someone to publicly claim responsibility for a violent assault without appropriate legal action could send a dangerous message.

He called for an impartial investigation and urged the Delhi Police to examine the allegations and take action according to the law.

The minister also said that the matter should not be influenced by political connections or claims of influence.

Bhardwaj detained by Delhi Police

The controversy took another turn on Friday when Delhi Police detained Bhardwaj in Uttar Pradesh.

His detention reportedly came hours after members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised a protest outside the Parliament Street police station, demanding action over the alleged assault on the activist’s father.

The protesters were joined by Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and MP Pappu Yadav.

According to the account provided in the report, representatives of the CJP met senior police officials during the protest and were assured that action would be taken against Bhardwaj within 72 hours.

The subsequent detention has added another significant development to a case that has already generated considerable political and public attention.

Photographs fuel controversy

The controversy has also been fuelled by photographs showing Bhardwaj with several political leaders.

Images reportedly show him alongside Chirag Paswan, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, among others.

However, Paswan has stressed that photographs taken with politicians do not automatically establish a personal relationship or indicate political patronage.

His complaint specifically seeks to challenge the impression allegedly created by Bhardwaj that political connections were responsible for protecting him from legal action.

Political figures seek to distance themselves

Paswan’s public statement is significant because it directly addresses the claims made by Bhardwaj and seeks to draw a clear line between the politician and the influencer.

The minister has maintained that neither he nor the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has any involvement in the alleged assault or in any effort to protect Bhardwaj.

He has instead called for the matter to be investigated on its merits.

The episode has also raised wider questions about the way photographs, political associations and claims of influence are used in public discourse, particularly when serious allegations of violence are involved.

Investigation now under focus

With Bhardwaj detained and a formal complaint filed by Paswan, attention is now on the Delhi Police and the next steps in the investigation.

The police will have to examine the allegations surrounding the July protest, the circumstances of the reported assault, Bhardwaj’s statements in the interview and the claims about political influence.

For Paswan, the immediate priority appears to be making his position clear: he says his name was used without justification and wants the matter dealt with through the legal process.

The case has therefore moved beyond a dispute involving an alleged assault and has developed into a broader controversy involving political names, public claims of influence and questions over accountability.

As the investigation proceeds, the focus will remain on establishing what happened during the July protest and determining whether the allegations made against Bhardwaj are supported by evidence

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.