Kerala Law Student Alleges Brutal Assault by Delhi Police
Athira Vijayan, a law student from Kerala, alleges brutal assault by Delhi Police during a protest. A Zero FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram.
A law student from Kerala has leveled harrowing allegations of physical assault against Delhi Police personnel during a protest in the national capital. Athira Vijayan, a Delhi University student and NSUI activist, claims she was subjected to violence that left her with multiple injuries and significant mental trauma.
The Alleged Incident at Connaught Place
The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday, October 13, near Connaught Place. According to the complaint, Athira and several other protesters were participating in an NSUI demonstration directed against the Chief Election Commissioner. The protesters were taken into custody and transported via a bus to the Connaught Place area.
Athira alleges that once they arrived, police personnel forcibly dragged her out of the vehicle and assaulted her on a public street. The details of the assault are severe, with the victim claiming that:
- Police personnel struck her in the face.
- Her arms were forcibly restrained behind her back.
- She was kicked by the officers.
- There were attempts to tear her clothes and snatch her mobile phone.
The physical violence resulted in injuries to her neck and various other parts of her body, necessitating medical treatment at Delhi's Hardinge Hospital.
Zero FIR Registered in Kerala
Following the incident, a complaint was submitted to the Kerala State Police Chief. The matter was subsequently forwarded to the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner's office and then to the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram on October 14 for immediate legal intervention.
The Museum Police have officially registered a Zero FIR (Crime No. 1447/2026). A Zero FIR allows a police station to record a complaint regardless of where the crime occurred, facilitating a faster initial response before the case is transferred to the relevant jurisdiction—in this case, Delhi. The FIR has been filed under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 74, 76
- Section 115, 117
- Section 126, 351(3), 296(b)
- Section 3(5)
Political Fallout and Protests
The alleged assault has ignited a political firestorm. Athira was seen meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, shortly after the incident, to address the media.
The NSUI activists involved in the protest have been demanding the resignation of officials, citing irregularities in the electoral roll revision process. This confrontation has escalated into a broader political clash between Congress leaders and the BJP-led Centre, focusing on voting rights, police conduct, and the treatment of demonstrators during public protests.
The allegations against the Delhi Police personnel are currently under active investigation.