Three Women Journalists Allege Harassment By Delhi Cops, Complaints Sent To Crime Branch
Complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for inquiry.
Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by Delhi Police personnel while covering a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 3. The complaints have been transferred by the New Delhi district police to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial enquiry. The allegations relate to police action during the demonstration, where personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order.
The Crime Branch will examine the allegations and record statements from the complainants and other people who may have information about the incidents, officials said. One of the journalists alleged that an assistant commissioner of police sexually assaulted her while she was covering the protest. She claimed that police personnel were detaining protesters and that no women police personnel were present at the location when she questioned an officer about the arrangements. The allegations have not been independently established and are now subject to investigation.
The journalist also alleged that she and others later approached a police station to lodge a complaint but that an FIR was not registered immediately. Delhi Police subsequently confirmed that the complaints had been received by the New Delhi district and transferred to the Crime Branch. Police officials said the decision was intended to ensure that the allegations involving personnel deployed on protest-related duties were examined independently.
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The Press Council of India expressed "shock and dismay" over the allegations concerning the treatment of journalists covering the protest and urged the Delhi Police to act on the complaints. The council stressed that journalists should be able to carry out their professional duties without fear or intimidation. Its response came as concerns were raised over the conduct of police personnel toward media workers during the demonstration.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was organised by groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police detained several protesters during demonstrations in the New Delhi area on October 3, while the wider protests have drawn participation from political groups and civil society organisations. The Delhi Police has also registered cases relating to alleged violations during the demonstrations.
The allegations have also prompted political reactions, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the handling of the complaint and seeking accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, under whose ministry the Delhi Police functions. The Crime Branch's enquiry will now examine the complaints and statements of those involved before determining the facts of the allegations.
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