The Centre on Friday alleged before the Supreme Court that women police personnel were molested and injured during a Congress protest led by Rahul Gandhi in the national capital. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raised the allegations while referring to visuals from a demonstration held two days earlier, when opposition INDIA bloc MPs clashed with police while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar.

The submission brought the conduct of protesters, the treatment of police personnel and the circumstances surrounding the demonstration before the court. “Please see visuals from two days ago. Lady police officers have been molested and injured,” Mehta told the bench. He further alleged that police personnel were verbally abused during the confrontation. According to the Solicitor General, the officers acted responsibly despite the alleged misconduct. His remarks were part of the government’s account of the events surrounding the opposition demonstration.

Mehta also argued that the protest was unlawful because the organisers had not obtained permission for it. His submission raised the question of whether the demonstration complied with the applicable requirements governing public gatherings in Delhi. The government’s position was that the absence of permission, combined with the alleged conduct towards police personnel, warranted attention during the proceedings. 

The demonstration took place amid opposition demands concerning the electoral process. INDIA bloc MPs had gathered to protest alleged “vote chori”, a term used by opposition leaders to describe alleged electoral irregularities, and to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. During the protest, the MPs attempted to reach Jantar Mantar but encountered police personnel, leading to a confrontation.

The episode subsequently became part of the government’s submissions before the Supreme Court, with Mehta drawing attention to the alleged injuries and mistreatment of women officers. The Solicitor General referred to video footage to support his account of the incident and asked the court to examine the visuals. He alleged that women officers had been molested and injured and that other police personnel had faced verbal abuse.

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Mehta maintained that the police had behaved responsibly while dealing with the situation. The allegations, as presented in court, placed the conduct of demonstrators under scrutiny. The government’s submission also highlighted the issue of permission for political demonstrations. Public protests in the capital can involve arrangements intended to manage crowds, traffic and public safety. Mehta’s contention was that the protest lacked permission and that the alleged treatment of police personnel was a matter of concern.

The allegations concerning women police personnel remain claims made by the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court. Establishing whether molestation, injury or other offences occurred would require examination of the relevant evidence and any findings made through the appropriate legal process. Similarly, the contention that the protest was unlawful reflects the government’s argument as reported during the hearing; it should not be treated as a final judicial determination without further information about the court’s order or subsequent proceedings.

The episode has brought renewed attention to the confrontation between opposition MPs and police during the protest over alleged electoral irregularities. The government has raised concerns about the conduct of demonstrators and the alleged treatment of women officers, while the protest itself was linked to opposition demands for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

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