Delhi Police detain protesters, investigate sexual harassment complaints by journalists

Police detain protesters during protest

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Sunday said it had received complaints from three female journalists alleging sexual harassment during a protest in the New Delhi area on October 3. The complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further action, police said. In a post on X, Delhi Police said the complaints were received by the New Delhi district police in the context of the "emergent law and order situation" during the protest. "On 03-10-26, during the protest in the New Delhi area, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists in the context of the emergent law and order situation. New Delhi District has received their complaints and the same are transferred to Crime Branch, Kamla Market for further action," Delhi Police said.

Complaints transferred to Crime Branch

The complaints will now be exained by the Crime Branch at Kamla Market, which will take further action based on the allegations, police said. The development came amid protests in the capital demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Protesters detained as CJP-led stir continues

Around 150 people demanding Kumar's removal were detained in and around Jantar Mantar on Saturday as security forces prevented protesters from gathering at the site. Those detained included senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora. AISA also alleged manhandling of women protesters, journalists and lawyers by male police personnel during the demonstration. TOI reported that a video circulating on social media showed a male police officer grabbing Bora from behind while detaining her. No response was received from police on those allegations.

CJP spokesperson raises journalist assault allegation

The complaints by the three journalists come amid allegation raised by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, who accused Delhi Police of refusing to register an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat over the alleged sexual assault of an independent journalist. Das said he and CJP leader Ratna Singh had approached the police and demanded that an FIR be registered. He also warned that journalists and protesters would return to the police station if the case was not registered.

Dipke announces October 10 Jantar Mantar protest

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced another protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign. The announcement came after the CJP's October 2 protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, where thousands gathered despite police denying permission. Dipke has described the proposed Delhi demonstration as "Jantar Mantar 2.0" and said it would be peaceful. The CJP has been demanding Kumar's resignation over its allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and the SIR exercise. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Police action under scrutiny

The latest complaints also come amid growing scrutiny of police conduct during the protests. Delhi Police had registered three FIRs over the October 2 demonstrations, while hundreds of protesters were detained as they attempted to reach Jantar Mantar. The allegations made in the three journalists' complaints will now be examined by the Crime Branch. (With agency inputs)

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