‘Violence against 14-year-old girl is serious matter’:CJI says accused cannot roam freely, intimidate family; minor participated in CJP protest

The Supreme Court has taken serious note of allegations that a 14-year-old girl who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest was harassed and that her house was vandalised. A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: “If anti-social elements who committed violence against the child are roaming freely and trying to intimidate the girl, it could be a serious matter. Ensure action is taken on the girl’s FIR and her safety is ensured.” The court has also sought reports from the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments on the action taken. The girl’s father was attacked during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. Independent Bhardwaj, the accused in the case, has been sent to jail. The girl and her father allege that they are being threatened and intimidated in connection with the case. The court made these remarks while hearing the matter. The girl’s father was attacked during the protest After this, in a podcast clip that went viral on social media on July 24, Independent Bhardwaj claimed that he was the one who had hit the girl’s father, Sanjay Kumar, on the head. He had to receive 60 stitches. Independent also said that he did not have to go to jail. He later backtracked on his statement, saying that it was not an attack but an act of self-defence. He claimed that 10-15 people had surrounded him and that the crowd could have killed him if he had not acted in self-defence. Independent Bhardwaj-Nishu Azad case: Timeline September 4: CJP leaders and supporters staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station in support of Nishu Azad and her father. Nishu’s lawyer, Rishav Ranjan, asked the police to add charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and relevant sections of the SC/ST Act. The police added these charges. Independent was taken into custody. September 5: A Hindu organisation staged a protest in Delhi in support of Independent Bhardwaj. The protest was called by Daksh Chaudhary. Daksh is known for assaulting and slapping high-profile people. He had also slapped Kanhaiya Kumar.