Delhi Police Detain Protesters Demanding FIR Over Alleged Sexual Misconduct Against Women Journalists
By : Media Desk ( Sagar Reshi)
New Delhi: Delhi Police on Monday detained several protesters outside Parliament Street Police Station during a demonstration over allegations of sexual misconduct against three women journalists during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3.
The protesters had reportedly staged an overnight demonstration, demanding the registration of an FIR in connection with the allegations. According to one protester, the group had been sitting outside the police station from around 6 pm on Sunday until Monday morning.
The protesters said they were detained at around 7 am after a confrontation with police personnel.
One demonstrator alleged that the protesters were only asking for an FIR to be registered but were instead treated poorly and taken into custody. The protester also claimed that one of the alleged victims was physically assaulted while being removed from the protest site.
Another protester alleged that police personnel used sticks against demonstrators inside the premises and claimed that women and a disabled person were also subjected to physical force. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The protesters said they had gathered outside the police station to seek an update on the complaints filed following the October 3 incident.
“We are here to ask for the status of our complaint after 48 hours,” one protester said, according to reports.
Three women journalists allege sexual harassment
The controversy began during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3, where three women journalists alleged that they were sexually harassed by Delhi Police personnel while covering the demonstrations.
The protest was linked to demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police confirmed that complaints had been received from the three journalists and said they had been transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a fair and impartial inquiry.
The Crime Branch is expected to examine the allegations, record statements and assess available evidence, including CCTV footage. Police have maintained that their actions during the protest were connected to maintaining law and order.
More protesters detained near Jantar Mantar
The developments came amid continuing demonstrations in Delhi over the electoral-roll revision issue.
On Sunday, Delhi Police detained more than 150 protesters, including members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), during demonstrations near Jantar Mantar. AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal were among those involved in the protests.
Several protesters attempted to move beyond police barricades near Jantar Mantar and were detained as police restricted access to the protest area.
The latest detentions have added to the controversy surrounding the October 3 incident, with protesters demanding that the allegations made by the three women journalists be formally investigated and that appropriate legal action be taken if the claims are established.
The investigation by the Crime Branch is now expected to determine the facts surrounding the allegations and the conduct of the police personnel involved.
