Delhi Police Detain Protesters Over Journalist Misconduct Claims
Protesters were detained outside Parliament Street Police Station after clashing with police while demanding an FIR for alleged sexual misconduct.
Tensions escalated outside the Parliament Street Police Station on Monday morning as Delhi Police detained several protesters who were demonstrating against the alleged sexual misconduct of three women journalists. The demonstration, which aimed to demand action following an incident on October 3 at Jantar Mantar, turned into a confrontation between the crowd and law enforcement officers.
Overnight Vigil Ends in Clashes
According to those involved in the demonstration, the group had been holding their ground for over twelve hours. Protesters claimed they arrived at the site at 6:00 PM on Sunday and remained there until 7:00 AM on Monday, seeking updates on their formal complaints. The situation turned volatile when police moved in to detain the group, leading to a clash.
Protesters expressed outrage over the treatment they received from the authorities. They alleged that instead of addressing their demand for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), the police responded with aggression. One protester shared a harrowing account of the crackdown:
"We've been here since last night. We've been sitting here from 6:00 PM yesterday until 6:00 AM today... All we're asking is for an FIR to be filed. Instead, the police are treating us terribly, detaining us. She's the victim of a sexual assault, and they beat her up too after dragging her away."
Allegations of Police Brutality
The demonstration was marked by serious accusations of physical assault by the police. Witnesses at the scene claimed that officers used sticks to strike demonstrators, specifically targeting vulnerable members of the group. "They are beating the disabled person, they are beating the woman, a stick is being used inside," one protester alleged.
The primary motivation for the gathering was to inquire about the status of a complaint filed 48 hours prior regarding the alleged assault on the three journalists during the October 3 protest. The protesters expressed frustration that, despite the passage of time, no significant progress had been communicated to them.
Official Response from Delhi Police
The Delhi Police have acknowledged the allegations made by the three female journalists regarding sexual harassment by police personnel during the law and order situation on October 3. While the New Delhi District received the initial complaints, the matter has since been moved to a different department for investigation.
A police spokesperson stated:
- The complaints regarding the alleged sexual harassment by police officers have been officially received.
- The matter has been transferred to the Crime Branch, Kamla Market.
- The transfer is intended to ensure a fair and impartial enquiry into the allegations.
Unrelated Demonstrations Near Jantar Mantar
In a separate development, the Delhi Police also detained members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) near Jantar Mantar. This group was protesting against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. During this incident, several high-profile individuals, including AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, were present as protesters attempted to move past police barricades.