Noida Police Questions YouTuber Ajeet Bharti Over Controversial Remarks on CJI Attack

Social media influencer and YouTuber Ajeet Bharti was questioned by the Noida Police on Tuesday in connection with inflammatory comments he allegedly made online following an attempt to attack Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai in the Supreme Court.

The questioning of Bharti, who has a significant following across YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), came a day after a 71-year-old lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at CJI Gavai during court proceedings in New Delhi. The lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, was reportedly unhappy over remarks made by the CJI in a recent hearing concerning the restoration of an idol.

Controversial Posts and Podcast Remarks

Following the incident, Ajeet Bharti shared a video and posted comments on his social media platforms which were widely criticised for allegedly inciting violence and using derogatory language against the CJI and the judiciary.

In his podcast, Bharti reportedly called Justice Gavai a “terrible judge who harbors anti-Hindu sentiments.” He further escalated the matter by suggesting that if judges continued to make such remarks, the type of incident that occurred in the courtroom “could begin happening to them on the streets as well.”

Sharing a clip of his podcast on X, Bharti wrote, “Gavai is a lousy, undeserving judge, and a contempt case should be filed against him.” In another post, he reportedly taunted the CJI over his Dalit-Ambedkarite background in connection with the shoe-hurling incident.

Police Action and Release

The Noida Police confirmed that Bharti was brought in for questioning regarding his recent social media posts. He was initially taken to the Sector 58 police station and later moved to the DCP office for further inquiry by senior officials.

Police officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Sumit Shukla, clarified that Bharti was questioned and not arrested in connection with the incident.

After being released, Ajeet Bharti took to his social media to assure his followers of his safety. He posted in Hindi, stating that he was “safe and sound” and that no arrest or custody had occurred, adding that such situations are “a part of a journalist’s life.”

Demand for Criminal Contempt Action

The controversy surrounding Bharti’s comments has also led to calls for legal action. Activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh, the founder of Mission Ambedkar, has written to Attorney General R. Venkataramani. The letter seeks consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Bharti and a religious orator for allegedly making objectionable and threatening statements against the Chief Justice.

The activist’s letter argues that these statements are “aimed at provoking violence against the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other judges” and that the “tone and tenor of such public provocation are extremely dangerous,” leading to viral posts that have escalated tensions. The letter urges urgent action to safeguard the dignity and independence of the judiciary.

The Noida Police have indicated that further inquiry into the matter is ongoing, suggesting the possibility of a legal examination into whether Bharti’s remarks constitute an offence under relevant sections of the law, such as those dealing with promoting enmity or insulting public servants.