Several protesters were detained outside the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi on October 5 while demanding the registration of a First Information Report in connection with allegations of sexual harassment made by three women journalists against police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
The protest followed complaints submitted by three women journalists who were covering a demonstration in the New Delhi area on October 3. The journalists alleged that police personnel behaved inappropriately with them while they were reporting on the protest. The allegations have not been independently established and are now subject to investigation by the Crime Branch.
The protesters gathered outside the Parliament Street police station and demanded that the police register an FIR and take action based on the complaints. They also called for CCTV footage from the area to be examined as part of the investigation.
According to reports, some protesters said they had approached the police earlier seeking access to CCTV footage related to the alleged incident. They claimed that the footage was not provided and that they had not received sufficient information about the progress of the complaints. Several protesters were subsequently detained during the demonstration outside the police station.
Delhi Police has confirmed that it received complaints from three women journalists concerning alleged sexual harassment during the October 3 protest. The New Delhi district police transferred the complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further investigation.
Police said the complaints were transferred to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry. The decision was also linked to the fact that personnel from the New Delhi district and Parliament Street police station were involved in law and order duties during the protest. An inquiry by the Crime Branch is therefore expected to examine the allegations and collect relevant evidence.
The police have also appealed to people who may have recorded the alleged incidents to share relevant video footage with the Crime Branch. Such footage could form part of the evidence examined during the investigation.
The controversy began during protests at Jantar Mantar related to demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters were raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The demonstrations have attracted political leaders, activists, lawyers, students and journalists in recent days.
During the protests, a number of demonstrators were detained by police after authorities cited restrictions on public gatherings in the New Delhi area. Delhi Police said protesters had been informed about the restrictions and were asked to leave the location. The situation subsequently led to allegations of manhandling and misconduct involving protesters and journalists.
The complaints filed by the three women journalists have added another dimension to the ongoing dispute. One of the journalists alleged that an Assistant Commissioner of Police sexually assaulted her when she questioned the absence of women police personnel during the detention of protesters. Other complaints reportedly alleged inappropriate physical contact by police personnel. These claims are allegations and will have to be established through the investigation.
The demand for an FIR has also received support from journalists and political figures who have raised concerns about the safety of media personnel covering protests. The Press Council of India has expressed concern over the allegations and called for action while emphasising the need for journalists to be able to perform their professional duties without fear or intimidation.
Opposition leaders have also criticised the police response and questioned why an FIR had not been registered in connection with the allegations. The issue has become part of the broader political debate surrounding the protests and the conduct of authorities during demonstrations.
At the same time, Delhi Police has maintained that the complaints have been formally received and transferred to the Crime Branch. The police have said the investigation will examine the allegations and relevant evidence before further action is taken.
The demand for CCTV footage remains an important part of the protesters' concerns. They have argued that recordings from the protest site could help establish what happened and identify the individuals involved. Police have asked anyone possessing relevant footage to provide it to investigators.
The case is now expected to depend on the evidence collected by the Crime Branch, including complaints, medical examination records where applicable, witness statements and available video footage. Any further legal action will be based on the findings of the investigation.
The incident has also renewed discussion about the safety of journalists covering public demonstrations, particularly when journalists are working in crowded and tense situations involving police and protesters. Media organisations and journalists have called for accountability while stressing the importance of protecting press freedom.
For now, the allegations against the police personnel remain under investigation. The transfer of the complaints to the Crime Branch is intended to provide an independent examination of the claims. The registration of an FIR and any subsequent legal action will depend on the investigation and applicable legal procedures.
