Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Delhi Police of failing to protect women and demanded the public release of complete CCTV footage from Saket police station following allegations of assault and mistreatment by two women journalists. Gandhi’s remarks came amid a separate controversy over complaints by three women journalists who alleged manhandling and sexual harassment by police personnel while covering protests near Jantar Mantar on October 3. Delhi Police has said the complaints have been referred to the Crime Branch for investigation.

Gandhi referred to the earlier allegations made by journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, who said they were detained and taken to Saket police station on September 3 while covering an event in south Delhi. The journalists alleged that they were assaulted inside the police station and that their phones were taken away. They also alleged that police personnel threatened them with further action. Delhi Police, however, rejected the allegations as “factually incorrect and misleading”, saying the two women had obstructed a designated VVIP route by parking a scooter near the venue and were taken to the police station for further inquiry after they allegedly refused repeated requests to clear the route.

The journalists have disputed the police version and have described their alleged treatment inside the station in videos circulated on social media. They claimed they were assaulted by police personnel and later underwent medical examinations. One of the journalists also alleged that an officer made remarks about her religious identity during the incident. The allegations have not been independently established, while the journalists have called for the complete CCTV footage from the police station to be released so that the events can be examined. Gandhi echoed that demand on Monday, calling for action against any police personnel found responsible.

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Gandhi also linked his criticism to the more recent protests near Jantar Mantar, where police received complaints from three women journalists alleging manhandling and sexual harassment during their detention while covering demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to Delhi Police, the complaints were received on October 3, medical examinations were conducted and the matter was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for a detailed inquiry. Police have also appealed to people possessing relevant video footage to submit it to investigators.

The controversy intensified on Monday after around 17 people, including journalists, YouTubers and one of the women who had complained against the police, were detained outside Parliament Street police station. The group had reportedly gathered overnight seeking an FIR and action over the allegations involving the October 3 protest. Police said the New Delhi district was under restrictions on public gatherings under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and that the protesters were detained after refusing to disperse. The detainees were taken to Delhi Cantt Police Station and were expected to be released.

The allegations and competing accounts have placed renewed focus on police conduct during demonstrations, the treatment of journalists covering protests and the handling of complaints involving women. While Gandhi has demanded transparency through the release of the Saket police station footage, the Delhi Police has denied the earlier assault allegations and said the newer complaints are being investigated by the Crime Branch. The outcome of those inquiries, along with any available CCTV or other video evidence, is expected to establish the facts surrounding the separate incidents.

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