Student group alleges journalists detained during protest over police conduct
AISA president Neha Bora claimed that journalists protesting allegations of sexual harassment by police officers were detained in Delhi. Police say complaints from three women journalists have been transferred to the Crime Branch, while press and political groups have called for an investigation and action.
Journalists protesting over allegations of sexual harassment by police personnel were detained in Delhi, according to a claim by All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora. Bora said on Monday that the journalists were detained at a Delhi Cantonment police station after protesters gathered outside the Parliament Street police station. They were demanding registration of a first information report and an investigation into allegations arising from an October 3 protest at Jantar Mantar.
She said a team of lawyers was in contact with the detained journalists and appealed to other lawyers to reach the police station. The material did not provide a police response to the detention claim. One of the three women journalists alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat sexually assaulted her after she questioned why women police personnel were not present at the protest site.
Delhi Police said it had received complaints from all three journalists and transferred them to the Crime Branch for what it described as a fair and impartial inquiry. The Crime Branch is expected to examine the allegations and record statements from the complainants and other people involved, according to the police account. The Press Club of India expressed shock over the treatment of journalists during the protest and called for immediate action on the complaints.
It said journalists should be able to report on demonstrations freely and without fear. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi questioned the delay in registering a first information report and noted that Delhi Police comes under the Union Home Ministry. The Cockroach Janta Party alleged that Bhagat had behaved improperly and touched a journalist inappropriately, and called for an FIR and his suspension.
AISA separately alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel and that several women complained of being groped. The allegations are subject to the Crime Branch investigation.
Vertrix News compared the attributed reports listed below and wrote this independent synthesis. Claims remain attributed where independent verification was unavailable.