Delhi Police Constable Assaulted During Opposition Protest
A Delhi Police constable alleges he was bitten and assaulted by protesters during a demonstration involving Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc.
A Delhi Police constable has come forward with harrowing allegations of being attacked and bitten by demonstrators during a high-voltage opposition protest near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Constable Ankit Kasana, stationed at the Parliament Street police station, was deployed for crowd control following a demonstration by MPs from the INDIA bloc. The situation reportedly turned violent as security personnel worked to manage the escalating tension during the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Chaos Near Jantar Mantar
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Kasana detailed the chaotic scenes that unfolded around 6:30 PM. He stated that as police attempted to move Rahul Gandhi's vehicle safely through the crowd, protesters created significant obstacles.
"They would lie down in front of the car, sometimes they would stop the car and push it," Kasana told ANI. He noted that a private vehicle also blocked the path, and the crowd was comprised of approximately 30 to 35 men and women.
The constable recounted how the situation escalated when he attempted to intervene to protect the vehicle. "As soon as they saw that I was alone and sir was inside, someone grabbed my collar from behind, tore my uniform, and broke my button too," he alleged.
Assault and Injuries Reported
The constable's testimony paints a picture of a targeted physical assault. He alleged that the group surrounded him, subjected him to verbal abuse, and caused physical harm through scratching and biting. Following the incident, Kasana was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for a medical examination.
Despite the ordeal, Kasana maintained a professional stance, stating, "We actually help the public a lot, and that's why the public trusts the Delhi Police. But if these people want to destroy that trust, we won't let that happen. No matter how much they harass us or abuse us, we won't be aggressive. We'll do our duty peacefully."
Legal Action and FIRs Filed
The Delhi Police has taken swift legal action following the unrest. The department confirmed that three FIRs have already been registered in connection with the Wednesday protest, with more cases expected to follow. These legal filings cover various offenses, including:
- Assault on police personnel
- Obstruction of government work
- Pushing and manhandling
- Misbehaviour with police officers
Notably, the names of prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are mentioned in the details of the FIRs registered so far.
Context of the Protest
The demonstration was organized by the INDIA bloc to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters had planned a march from Parliament House to Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, but were stopped by police as no official permission had been granted for the march.
During the confrontation, Rahul Gandhi was seen attempting to open a barricaded gate before being detained and taken to the Barakhamba Road Police Station. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained and moved to the Chhatrasal Stadium Police Station.