Overview
- Delhi Police registered an FIR on Tuesday against AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj under Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, and Section 23(4) of the POCSO Act for allegedly disclosing information that could identify a three‑year‑old sexual‑assault survivor.
- Bharadwaj says he did not name the child, that he only named the school, and he alleges the FIR is meant to silence him because the school's trust has trustees he calls linked to the BJP; the BJP has not publicly responded to that claim.
- The underlying case began with an alleged assault on April 30 that the family reported to police on May 1, leading to the arrest of a 57‑year‑old caretaker who was granted bail on May 7 and to a later arrest of a teacher as the probe continued.
- Police say public statements that give the school's name, the child's age, class and other details can make a minor identifiable and are punishable regardless of intent, and the FIR records allegations that Bharadwaj shared such details at a press conference and on social media.
- Investigations are active into both the assault and the complaint against Bharadwaj, and the dispute could affect evidence access and public advocacy as questions persist about non‑working CCTV cameras, demands for an AIIMS re‑examination, and alleged pressure on the victim's family.