Delhi CEC protest: Woman journalists who alleged sexual assualt amongst 17 detained by Delhi police
Nearly 17 people who protested outside the Parliament Street police station overnight, demanding an FIR and action against a police officer accused of sexually assaulting three female journalists during a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, were detained on Monday morning.
The protesters, who included freelance journalists, YouTubers and one of the alleged victims, were taken in a bus to the Delhi Cantt police station.
The woman told the media that they wanted to enter the premises and meet police officers to know the status of her complaint. When contacted about the detention, a senior police officer said that Section 144 had been imposed across the New Delhi district.
“People were not allowed to hold a gathering at Parliament Street, as it is not a designated site for protests. They were detained and taken to a police station, from where they will be released soon,” the officer said.
On Sunday, the Delhi Police said it had received three separate complaints from female journalists who alleged that they had been sexually assaulted by police officers on duty while covering the protests near Jantar Mantar on October 3.
Officials said the matter would be investigated by the Crime Branch and that the facts were being verified. They added that the statements of the women were recorded on Sunday and CCTV footage from the protest site was extracted for examination.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the protesters were informed about the implementation of Section 144, under which public gatherings of five or more people, demonstrations and other activities without prior written permission were prohibited.
She also added that police personnel on Saturday acted only after the protesters, who were directed to leave the spot, refused to do so.
“Later in the day (Saturday), three women, who identified themselves as journalists, filed a complaint alleging manhandling by Delhi Police officials and staff during the detention. Their complaints were taken; they underwent medical examinations and all the complaints were sent to the Crime Branch. I request all of you … that if you have any video footage related to this, please share it with the Crime Branch,” she said.
Earlier on Saturday, nearly 150 people, including All India Students Association President Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, were detained for allegedly returning to Jantar Mantar to protest.
According to a journalist, she spotted Neha Bora and other female protesters being detained. She alleged that there was no female officer present during the detention and also alleged that officers pushed and shoved her.
According to the complaint, when she confronted the officer, he fled the scene.
Another protester, who was covering the protest at Ashoka Road at 3 p.m., said that she was recording the detention of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan when she felt somebody touching her back.
She alleged in her complaint that when she turned to find out who it was, she found an officer standing very close to her. According to the complaint, when she confronted him about the alleged inappropriate touching, he dismissed her claims.
Citizens for Justice (CJP) has extended support to the victims and demanded action against the police personnel.
Ratan Singh, the head of CJP’s legal team, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote, “The female victim who alleged molestation by an ACP, along with 17 others who were demanding the registration of an FIR, were detained this morning.”
“She has told me that the detainees were assaulted by the police. Two of those detained were allegedly brutally beaten,” Singh alleged.
“Instead of protecting the victim and registering an FIR, why are those demanding justice being detained and assaulted? Shame on you, Delhi Police. Release all of them immediately. They are currently detained at Delhi Cantonment police station,” she added.