After initially being placed in police custody, Bhardwaj was produced before a duty magistrate through video conferencing and was subsequently placed in judicial custody. A Delhi court later ordered fourteen days of judicial custody in connection with the alleged assault case. Reports said that he was to be produced before the court again on September 21.The Delhi Police has also added provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR connected with the alleged assault. A separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has also been reported in connection with allegations made by the teenage activist. These allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.The controversy gained wider public attention after a video involving Bhardwaj circulated on social media. Following the circulation of the video, the CJP organised a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding action against him. The protest increased pressure on the Delhi Police to take action in the alleged assault case. Bhardwaj was subsequently detained in Bulandshahr and brought to Delhi as part of the legal process.The case has now become a matter of continuing legal proceedings, with the High Court having rejected the habeas corpus petition while the criminal case itself remains before the lower court. The High Court’s decision does not amount to a final determination of Bhardwaj’s guilt or innocence in the underlying assault allegations. Those issues will have to be considered through the appropriate judicial process.The development is significant because the petition directly questioned the legality of Bhardwaj’s arrest and detention. With the High Court rejecting the habeas corpus plea, his immediate challenge through that petition has come to an end. His legal team may pursue other remedies available under law while the investigation and trial proceedings continue.The matter has also attracted considerable political and public attention because it involves a protest, allegations of assault, questions surrounding police action and separate legal complaints. Supporters of the complainant have demanded strict action, while Bhardwaj’s side has challenged the legality and circumstances of the arrest. The courts will ultimately determine the legal issues arising from the case based on the evidence and arguments presented before them.
