Four Men Arrested Over Alleged Assault on Students and Women During Delhi Protest
Accused reportedly linked to Hindu Raksha Dal were arrested after a viral video showed protesters being pushed and beaten during the CJP demonstration
New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested four men for allegedly assaulting students and physically manhandling women during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on October 10.
The arrests came after a video circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing a group of men pushing, hitting and dragging young protesters, including women, on DDU Marg under the jurisdiction of Kamla Market police station. A police personnel can also be seen at the scene in the footage.
According to police, the four accused claimed to be members of the right wing group Hindu Raksha Dal. They have been identified as Raman Saini, 50, Vivekanand alias Vivek, 32, Kapil Kumar, 27, and Ravinder Singh alias Govind Hindu, 35.
Police sources said the exact location of the incident was established during security checks conducted amid arrangements for the protest. Although no formal complaint had initially been received, police took suo motu cognisance after the video came to their attention.
The arrests were made after confidential information suggested that the accused might attempt to leave the Delhi National Capital Region to evade action, according to police officials. The incident was reported amid widespread detentions during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The video was widely shared by social media accounts associated with the Indian Youth Congress, the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the CJP, drawing attention to the alleged assault on protesters.
The incident has also raised questions about the presence and response of police personnel at the scene, as the footage appears to show an officer nearby while the alleged assault takes place.
The arrests came amid heightened security measures and a large scale police operation across Delhi on October 10, during which thousands of protesters were reportedly detained ahead of the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar.