Viral video of Swatantra Bhardwaj threatening Bhim Army chief predates his September 17 release on interim bail

According to a report by Alt News, a viral video circulating on social media that features Swatantra Bhardwaj making threats against the Bhim Army chief has been misrepresented regarding its timeline. The video, which lasts one minute and sixteen seconds, shows Bhardwaj alongside an associate who praises his release from custody and compares him to a hunting lion. Following these remarks, Bhardwaj is seen issuing threats directed at individuals who allegedly attacked his supporters.

Alt News conducted an investigation into the metadata and context of the footage, concluding that the video predates Bhardwaj's release on interim bail, which was granted for a period of three weeks starting September 17. By cross-referencing the content of the video with the official timeline of his legal proceedings, the report clarifies that the inflammatory statements were recorded prior to the court's decision to grant him temporary relief.

The dissemination of the video following the news of his bail led to widespread public confusion and online discourse. By establishing that the footage is not a reaction to his recent release, the report aims to correct the narrative surrounding the timing of the threats. As of now, there have been no further official statements from law enforcement regarding the specific legal implications of the threats captured in the footage.