'Misused my name, have filed complaint': Chirag Paswan over Swatantra Bharadwaj's viral video row

Patna, Sep 4 (IANS) Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) Chief Chirag Paswan on Friday claimed that his name has been "misused" by a right-wing influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj in a purported viral video, where the latter allegedly claimed to have assaulted the father of a student protester Nishu Azad during the recent demonstration at Jantar Mantar and boasted that he was let off by the Delhi Police as he has "political connections". 

Paswan said that he has lodged an official complaint against the accused Swatantra Bharadwaj, and will ensure justice to the minor victim and her family.

His reaction comes after the Delhi Police assured to arrest Bharadwaj, under sections of POCSO, SC/ST Act and attempt to murder, within 72 hours, following an agitation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Chirag Paswan termed the incident "extremely serious".

Union Minister Pawan said: "A person (Swatantra Bharadwaj) is openly admitting that he has beaten someone so severely that it could possibly have led to his death. To openly admit this on a podcast and even after that, if no action is taken against him, then I believe this will set a very wrong example before the country and the people."

"Understanding the seriousness of this matter, and because that person (Swatantra Bharadwaj) has misused my name along with the names of several politicians, I have filed an official complaint against him. At the same time, I have urged the Delhi Police that there should be a fair investigation into this matter," the Union Minister added.

While maintaining that meeting and interacting with people is a part of political life, Chirag Paswan asserted: "This definitely does not mean that the concerned person personally knows the politician."

"It is wrong to say that he (Swatantra Bharadwaj) personally knows me and it is wrong to misuse my name," Paswan said, while adding that he along with LJP-RV is standing in solidarity with the minor Nishu Azad and her family.

The LJP-RV Chief added: "Me and my party takes the responsibility to ensure justice to them because allegations have been put on me that may be due to my support, along with that of other politicians, action was not taken against the accused. So now we will ensure that the truth comes out and also ensure strict punishment for the accused who was openly mocking the legal system."