Three Women Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment by Delhi Police During Jantar Mantar Protest
Complaints transferred to Crime Branch for inquiry as protesters demand FIR and action against police personnel
New Delhi: Protests were held outside the Parliament Street Police Station on Sunday after three women journalists alleged sexual harassment and misconduct by Delhi Police personnel while covering a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3.
The journalists had been covering demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar when they allegedly faced inappropriate conduct and manhandling by police personnel deployed at the site. The allegations have not been independently established.
One of the journalists specifically alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat sexually assaulted her and pushed her when she questioned the absence of women police personnel during the detention of protesters. She later approached the Parliament Street Police Station seeking to register a complaint.
Following the allegations, journalists, activists and lawyers gathered outside the police station and demanded that an FIR be registered. Saurav Das and Ratna Singh of the Cockroach Janata Party were among those who joined the protest in support of the complainant.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also visited the police station and demanded action over the allegations. She criticised the handling of the complaint and called for an FIR and investigation against the police officer named by the journalist.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also questioned the delay in registering an FIR. He asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to respond, noting that Delhi Police functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Delhi Police has since confirmed that complaints were received from three women journalists regarding alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during the October 3 protest. The New Delhi district police have transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a fair and impartial inquiry.
Police said the Crime Branch will examine the allegations and record statements of the complainants and other people concerned as part of the investigation. The complainants have also undergone medical examinations, according to reports.
The Press Club of India has expressed concern over the allegations and called for immediate action on the journalists’ complaints, while stressing the importance of allowing journalists to carry out their professional duties without intimidation.
The controversy comes amid protests in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. More than 150 people were detained during the October 3 demonstrations, according to reports.
The immediate focus is now on the Crime Branch inquiry into the complaints. The allegations against the police personnel remain allegations unless established through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.