‘Sanghi Goon Still Free’: Abhijeet Dipke Demands DCP Sachin Sharma’s Prosecution Over Jantar Mantar Assault Case

New Delhi: A political controversy over an alleged assault during a protest at Jantar Mantar has intensified, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke demanding prosecution of Delhi Police DCP Sachin Sharma over what he described as police inaction.

Dipke's remarks came amid renewed attention on an alleged assault involving self-styled Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj and Sanjay Kumar, the father of CJP activist Nishu Aazad. The dispute resurfaced after a video clip from an interview in which Bhardwaj appeared to claim that he had "cracked the skull" of a protester circulated widely online.

Dipke accuses Delhi Police of inaction

In a post on X, Dipke alleged that Nishu Aazad had repeatedly appealed to police to arrest those responsible for the alleged assault on her father.

He questioned why the accused had not been arrested and called for DCP Sachin Sharma to face prosecution, alleging that police inaction had enabled the incident. Dipke also made a separate allegation about Sharma's political affiliations. Those allegations have not been independently established.

The CJP has been demanding stringent action against Bhardwaj and has staged a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi.

What happened at Jantar Mantar?

The case relates to a confrontation during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar earlier this year.

According to reports, Sanjay Kumar sustained a head injury during a scuffle. A subsequent viral clip featuring Bhardwaj brought renewed attention to the incident, with the influencer appearing to discuss the confrontation and claim that he had struck Kumar.

Bhardwaj later denied the interpretation of the viral clip, describing it as fake and saying that he had acted in self-defence.

Speaking to ANI, he claimed that he had been surrounded by several people and that Kumar was hit on the head by his metal bracelet, or kada, during the confrontation. He also said he feared he could have been lynched if he had not defended himself.

Delhi Police rejects allegations of political interference

Delhi Police has pushed back against allegations that Bhardwaj was protected because of political connections.

According to police, Kumar suffered a simple head injury during the scuffle and medical reports supported that assessment. Police said Bhardwaj and another accused, Suraj Kumar, had been detained and questioned following the incident.

The police have also said that the investigation was conducted according to legal procedure and that a chargesheet would be filed.

DCP Sachin Sharma has specifically rejected claims of political interference in the handling of the case.

CJP demands tougher charges

The CJP has argued that the existing legal action is inadequate and has demanded that more serious charges be considered.

Delhi Youth Congress chief Akshay Lakra also demanded the addition of an attempt-to-murder charge, while police told protesters that provisions of the SC/ST Act had been invoked, according to reports.

The protesters have also raised concerns over alleged online abuse and threats directed at Nishu Aazad following the controversy. Police have been approached over the alleged threats, with a separate complaint concerning online harassment also being pursued.

Police now assure action against Bhardwaj

The pressure on Delhi Police escalated on Friday as CJP members, joined by MPs Chandrashekhar Azad and Pappu Yadav, gathered outside Parliament Street Police Station seeking action against Bhardwaj.

The protesters said police had assured them that Bhardwaj would be arrested within 72 hours.

Later on Friday, reports said Delhi Police had detained Bhardwaj in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, after tracing him there. The development came amid a police search following the renewed controversy.

This latest development means the situation has moved beyond the earlier dispute over alleged police inaction, with authorities now taking steps to locate and detain the accused.

A political and legal confrontation

The controversy has become both a legal and political issue, with CJP accusing the Delhi Police of failing to act and police maintaining that the case has been handled according to law.

At the centre of the dispute are competing accounts of the Jantar Mantar confrontation. Bhardwaj says he acted in self-defence, while CJP leaders are demanding tougher criminal charges and questioning why he was not arrested earlier.

Dipke's demand for DCP Sharma's prosecution has added another dimension to the controversy, placing the conduct of the police themselves under political scrutiny.

The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will determine the facts of the assault allegations. Until then, claims made by the parties involved remain allegations and should not be treated as established findings.