Allegations of Police Misconduct Against Journalists During Protest in New Delhi
Incident Overview
File image of protesters demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, at Jantar Mantar, on Oct 2. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Oct 4: On October 3, three female journalists reported incidents of sexual harassment by police officers during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. In response, the Delhi Police has referred their complaints to the Crime Branch for a thorough investigation.
A police official stated that the New Delhi district police received these complaints following the protest, where law enforcement was present to maintain order.
The complaints have now been handed over to the Crime Branch, which will investigate the allegations and gather statements from the complainants and relevant witnesses.
One of the journalists recounted that an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) assaulted her while she was covering the event. She claimed, "As police were detaining protesters and no female officers were on-site, I inquired with ACP Vivek Bhagat about their absence, and he then sexually assaulted me and pushed me away."
She further mentioned that she and her colleagues attempted to file a First Information Report (FIR) at a police station, but alleged that no action has been taken thus far.
The Press Council of India expressed its “shock and dismay” regarding the treatment of journalists during the protest and called on the Delhi Police to take immediate action on the complaints. They stated, “Such behavior cannot be accepted in a democracy. Journalists should be able to operate freely and document public gatherings without fear. The fact that this is occurring in the heart of the national capital raises serious concerns about media freedom in India.”
They further urged the Delhi Police to promptly address the female journalist's complaint and ensure that media personnel can perform their duties without facing hostility or threats.