The Delhi Police on Sunday received complaints from three women journalists, who alleged they were sexually harassed and were manhandled by cops during an October 3 protest organised at Jantar Mantar, which was centred on demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The police have transferred the cases to the city’s Crime branch for a fair and an impartial probe. The move surfaced amid rising demands for action against police personnel and mounting concerns over the treatment of journalists covering demonstrations in the national capital.
A screengrab of the fresh protests in Delhi
As per police, the Crime branch sleuths shall examine the allegations and are expected to record statements from the complainants and other persons concerned.
Journalist alleges sexual harassment by ACP
One of the complainants has alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Vivek Bhagat sexually harassed her while she was covering the detention of the agitators. She claimed she questioned the officer about the absence of women cops at the scene, following which he allegedly touched her inappropriately and pushed her back.
Subsequently, the female scribe approached the Parliament Street Police Station and lodged a complaint. However, she alleged that she remained there for more than 3 hours but an FIR was not registered at the time. Meanwhile, the allegations against the ACP have not been proven yet and are now subject to enquiry by the Crime branch.
On the other hand, Delhi Police said complaints had been received from three women journalists in connection with the October 3 protest and were transferred to the Crime branch for a probe and action. The cops have pleaded with the people possessing any relevant video footage of the incident to share it with the investigating police personnel.
Political, civil society pressure looms
Another still from the protest
Various political and student groups have criticised the alleged police action. Pressure group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have announced stir programmes demanding action against the police officer under question.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ratna Singh were expected to show up at a police station in Delhi where the journalist was pursuing her complaint. In a parallel development, AISA President Neha Bora and other participants, including political analyst Yogendra Yadav, announced a march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar.
Delhi police said the demonstrators had been warned in advance to vacate the area in view of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). After they allegedly refused, several of them had been taken into custody.
Press Body calls for immediate action
Media organisations have also amplified concerns in the aftermath of the allegations. The Press Council of India expressed ‘shock and dismay’ over the reported treatment of journalists covering the protest and called for immediate action on the complaint.
It underscored that journalists should be able to exercise their duties freely and fearlessly, particularly while documenting public demonstrations and issues of public interest.