One journalist alleged that an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) touched her inappropriately while she was covering protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Three women journalists have accused police personnel of sexual harassment during a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Delhi Police said the complaints received from the journalists have been handed over to the Crime Branch for what it described as a fair and impartial investigation.
One of the journalists alleged that an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) sexually assaulted her while she was reporting on protests calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to her account, the officer touched her inappropriately and pushed her away as she attempted to record police action at the protest.
She further claimed that she and others later approached a police station to lodge a complaint, but that their complaint was not registered immediately.
Delhi Police confirmed receiving the complaints and said they had been transferred to the Crime Branch so that the allegations could be examined independently and fairly.
The Press Council of India also reacted to the incident, expressing serious concern over the reported treatment of journalists.
In its statement, the council said such treatment of journalists should not become acceptable in a democracy. It stressed that media professionals must be able to report freely and document public demonstrations without facing fear or intimidation.
The council further called on Delhi Police to act promptly on the woman journalist’s complaint and ensure that journalists are able to carry out their professional responsibilities without aggression or threats.
Earlier on Saturday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised the allegations publicly and sought a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the reported conduct of Delhi Police personnel toward women during the protest.
Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, noted in a post on X that Delhi Police falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and said the Home Minister should respond to the allegations.
Referring to the journalist’s complaint, he questioned why an FIR had allegedly not been registered despite journalists remaining at the location for hours demanding police action.
Gandhi also claimed that hundreds of people were taken into custody at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and referred to allegations involving the treatment of women protesters and journalists.
He further alleged that cameras had been taken away and journalists had been dragged during the police action. His statements regarding police conduct were allegations made in his public post.
He also referred to concerns over women’s and students’ safety in Delhi and criticised the reported treatment of protesters by personnel responsible for maintaining public safety.
