Delhi Police reject allegations of assault on protesters and journalists during Jantar Mantar protests

Around 20 people, some of them journalists and content creators, were detained by the Delhi Police on the morning of October 5 from outside the Parliament Street Police Station and taken to the Delhi Police Camp in Delhi Cantonment.They had been sitting outside the police station, protesting against the police for allegedly not registering an FIR against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat. Bhagat had been promoted as Additional DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) before withdrawing from the role “of his own volition” pending a “full enquiry” in the case, according to a government notification. A female journalist has alleged that Bhagat sexually harassed and assaulted her while she was covering the October 2 protest near Jantar Mantar. The police, however, have registered an FIR at the Parliament Street Police Station against 17 of the 20 people detained. Beauty, a friend of the complainant, said at a press conference on October 5, “The police have not filed an FIR on the sexual harassment and assault complaint but have filed an FIR against our people.”The 17 protesters were charged under Sections 223(a), 221, 132, 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. According to the police, the protesters violated Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), formed an unlawful assembly, and allegedly attacked police personnel and damaged a bus.On the night of October 5, Patiala House Court granted bail to 17 protesters arrested in connection with the Parliament Street protest. Four were released after furnishing personal bonds, while the remaining 13 were sent to judicial custody as they could not furnish the required sureties. They are to be produced before the concerned court on October 6.The court also noted that two of the accused, Dharmender and Samarth, alleged that they were beaten inside the Parliament Street Police Station after their detention, and their MLCs (medico-legal certificates) recorded injuries. In the bail order, the court noted, “Since the accused, Dharmender and Samarth, have levelled allegations regarding custodial torture, let a report be called from the DCP, New Delhi, regarding the same.” Other detainees and their friends have also alleged that the police beat protesters inside a bus.The detentionsAnil, who was present when the protesters were detained and also works with the digital outlet News Diggy, recalled, “We discussed asking the police officers for an update on the FIR. Around 7 am [on October 5], we asked them, and they stopped us there. We then came and sat there. Suddenly, some female police officers came and started detaining us. They detained some of the protesters, but I was not among them.”The police also detained the woman journalist who had alleged that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by ACP Bhagat, although she was not charged in the FIR.At the Delhi Cantt Police Station, around 20 people had been detained. Anil and Beauty, who are friends of some of the detainees, said that the police allegedly beat the protesters inside the bus. The detainees were taken to the Delhi Cantt General Hospital, neighbouring the police station. According to them and their friends, no MLC was conducted there, and they were given painkiller injections.The detainees then told Newslaundry that they waited for more than five hours at the Delhi Cantt Police Station. The Delhi Police also called the complainant against ACP Bhagat to record some details. According to Beauty, the officer who approached the complainant was in civilian clothes, and the complainant would not speak to an officer who was not wearing a uniform. The police then took the detainees to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in a bus for their MLCs, while the complainant and another woman were taken in a separate vehicle to Mandir Marg Hospital, where they underwent their MLCs and were later released.The other 17 detainees were taken to Patiala House Court for bail proceedings.The court proceedingsThe defence argued that around 50 people were protesting, but only 17 were arrested. It also argued that no CCTV footage of the alleged incident had been placed on record and that the accused were young and not habitual offenders.Four women, Anshika Gupta, Karishma Mehta, Sanju and Kunjal, were released after furnishing personal bonds of Rs 15,000 each.Of the 13 accused who remained in custody, Newslaundry identified the Instagram accounts of two. Gajendra Singh creates videos related to news, events and protests, and is also associated with News Diggy. His personal Instagram account is restricted according to the IT (Information Technology) rules. Anuj Bhagat also makes videos related to news and explains viral videos on his Instagram account.All 13 remained in judicial custody because the required sureties had not been furnished. Advocates Simon Farouqi and Chitwan Godara, who are part of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) legal team, informed Newslaundry that the 13 accused were to be produced before the concerned court on October 6.Complaints against police personnelThe protest began on October 2 after Neha Bora called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Some of the female journalists who went to cover it alleged that they were sexually harassed and assaulted by on-duty police officers.Three complaints have been filed against Delhi Police personnel. Newslaundry has obtained copies of all three. The complainants are an independent journalist associated with News Diggy and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), another independent journalist, and a protester who is also a member of the CJP.The first complainant is an independent journalist who is also associated with News Diggy. According to her complaint, she was reporting near Kerala House when she asked the police why Neha was being detained by a male police officer and not a female one. She alleges that a police officer, Vivek Bhagat, then sexually harassed and assaulted her. Her complaint goes on to note that she confronted him, but he dismissed it, after which some female officers came and surrounded her.The second complainant, an independent journalist, has alleged sexual harassment while covering the protest at Ashoka Road. “I was recording the detention of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan when I felt someone touching my back,” she alleged in her complaint, adding that she turned to find an officer “standing very close” to her. According to the complaint, when she confronted the officer, he allegedly dismissed her claim.The third complainant is a homemaker and a member of the CJP. She also alleged that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by a police officer. She said, “I was at Ashoka Road on October 3 when the police brutally detained everyone. I was hit from behind. I am not sure whether it was an elbow or something else. When I turned around, I saw that it was a male police officer. I called out to him, ‘Aapko sharam nahi aa rahi hai?’ [Aren’t you ashamed?] The police officer then pushed me. I informed the CJP group about the incident and filed a complaint.”In her complaint, she also stated that the accused police officer was not wearing a nameplate, but claimed she could identify him from his face.Delhi Police responseIn a post on social media, the Delhi Police issued an official clarification, calling claims that female protesters were subjected to physical assault “baseless and misleading” and “factually incorrect”. The Delhi Police also issued guidelines for journalists covering protests. The guidelines state that journalists should carry a valid identity card, keep it visible at all times, not obstruct police operations and maintain a distance while recording.Newslaundry tried to contact the DCP, New Delhi, to seek an update on the case filed against the protesters and the allegations of violence against the detainees but received no response. Newslaundry also contacted the Delhi Crime Branch regarding the status of the sexual harassment and assault complaint but did not receive a response.This report will be updated when a response is received.A quarter-century of Modi governance calls for questions and a hamper. To mark the occasion, we have offers for subscribers and other readers.

The Delhi Police issued a set of guidelines for journalists covering protests, days after three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during protests at Jantar Mantar over demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police said the complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for an 'impartial' enquiry.One of the journalists alleged that an assistant commissioner of police sexually assaulted her during the protest. She claimed that the officer touched her inappropriately and pushed her away while she was recording the police action.The story matters, So does how you get it!Guidelines for journalists.#DPUpdates #EthicsofJournalism pic.twitter.com/Uu4nguCbJk— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 5, 2026 Delhi Police Issues 4-point Advisory Amid the allegations, the Delhi Police shared a four-point advisory for journalists on social media with the caption, "The story matters, So does how you get it! Guidelines for journalists." The post included directions for reporters covering protests and tense situations.The police advised journalists assigned to cover protests to carry valid identity cards issued by their respective organisations or valid PIB/DIP accreditation cards. It also asked journalists to keep their identification cards visibly displayed at all times to facilitate identification by law enforcement personnel at protest sites.The advisory further stated that journalists should ensure their presence or activities do not obstruct police operations or the movement of law enforcement personnel. During tense situations, reporters were advised to maintain a 'reasonable and safe distance' while covering and recording proceedings. The Delhi Police also asked journalists to position themselves in a manner that clearly distinguishes them from protesters.'Baseless & Misleading': Delhi Police Denies Assault On Female Protesters During Jantar Mantar Protests Advisory Comes Amid Serious Allegations The advisory comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing demonstrations in the national capital. The protests have seen allegations against police personnel, including claims of sexual harassment by women journalists.Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Monday rejected allegations circulating on social media that female protesters were subjected to physical assault during the recent protests. New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma described the allegations as 'baseless and misleading', saying they did not reflect the actual sequence of events.OFFICIAL CLARIFICATIONSome social media handles are claiming that female protesters were subjected to physical assault.These allegations are baseless and misleading. Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard.Detentions and…— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) October 5, 2026 Police Reject Assault Allegations "Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard," Sharma said in a post on X, adding that detentions and releases were carried out in accordance with applicable law and prescribed procedures.The DCP also said male protesters who were detained were released within the stipulated time period following due process of law. He said claims suggesting otherwise were factually incorrect and did not reflect the actual sequence of events.

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday rejected allegations on social media that female protesters were subjected to physical assault during the recent demonstrations in the national capital, saying they were handled by female personnel and treated with dignity in accordance with prescribed procedures.New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma said the allegations were "baseless and misleading" and did not reflect the actual sequence of events."Some social media handles are claiming that female protesters were subjected to physical assault. These allegations are baseless and misleading. Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard," Sharma said in a post on X.He said detentions and releases of protesters were carried out in accordance with applicable law and prescribed procedures.OFFICIAL CLARIFICATIONSome social media handles are claiming that female protesters were subjected to physical assault.These allegations are baseless and misleading. Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard.Detentions and…— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) October 5, 2026 ‘Mujhe Regret Nahi Hai’: Content Creator Dareez Gaur Hits Back At Trolls For Recreating Rhiya Ahir’s Viral Bus-Stopping Act At Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar - VIDEO "Male protesters who were detained were released within the stipulated time period, following due process of law. Any claim suggesting otherwise is factually incorrect and does not reflect the actual sequence of events," the DCP said.The police response came amid a series of protests in and around Jantar Mantar over the past few days by student groups, political parties and activists demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.AISA members had earlier alleged that its national president Neha Bora was picked up during a protest march towards Jantar Mantar and taken to Narela Industrial Area police station. They had also alleged that she was taken away in a private vehicle without an official number plate and that no woman police officer was present in the vehicle.'Established Beyond Doubt Gyanesh Kumar Changed Form 6 Illegally, Unilaterally': Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Police have rejected these allegations. A senior officer also alleged that some protesters attacked police personnel on duty and bit them during the protests.The demonstrations have seen repeated detentions as protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar despite restrictions and heavy security deployment in the New Delhi district.Police have maintained that the detentions were carried out as per law and that security personnel deployed at the protest sites followed prescribed. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

As of Monday (October 5) morning, no FIR has been registered against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, whom an independent journalist accused of sexually harassing her while she was covering an October 3 protest in New Delhi. The protest had sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls.Delhi Police said it has transferred the case to the Crime Branch which includes complaints from three female journalists alleging sexual harassment by police officers. But the journalist, her lawyers and political leaders who joined her say a transfer is no substitute for an FIR. What the journalist allegesThe complainant is an independent journalist associated with News Diggy, a digital media outlet. On October 3, she and her friend Shivani, also an independent journalist, tried to get a byte from All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha, who was being detained near Kerala House.“Around 3 pm on October 3, near Kerala House, I was recording Neha when I asked why they were detaining her because there was no female police officer there. Then ACP Vivek Bhagat inappropriately touched me. I immediately asked him, ‘Why did you do this?’ Then he left, and then some female constable came to stop me,” said the complainant, speaking to Newslaundry.Shivani, who was present, said she asked the complainant whether she was sure about her allegation. “She said she was 1,000 percent sure that this happened to her and wanted to file a complaint. Then we came to the Parliament Street police station to file a complaint at around 6 pm … They filed a complaint around 7:30 pm. They were not telling us about the medical examination. When lawyers came, they asked why they had not conducted a medical examination when my friend was saying she was in pain.”A transfer, not an FIR Since filing the complaint on October 3, the complainant, her friend, journalists, and others supporting her have been stationed outside the Parliament Street police station until they were detained by the police on Monday morning.The female victim who alleged molestation by an ACP along with 17 others who were demanding 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. This is @DelhiPolice. To protect their own, the police are now allegedly beating up the victim and those demanding action against the accused. 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 in Delhi Cantt police station.— Ratna Singh (@whattalawyer) October 5, 2026 Advocate Vartika Mani, who is representing the complainant, told Newslaundry, “The police are asking if we have any video (evidence). Delhi Police has everything at its disposal, but they still haven't been able to examine it. No FIR has been lodged. When we tried to meet (on 3rd October) the complainant, the police were not allowing us to meet her. There should also be a departmental inquiry against the police officer as per the law.”Ratna Singh, legal affairs head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who had come in support of the complainant, said, “They just told us that they had transferred the case to the Crime Branch because of a conflict of interest. As per the law, if a woman says she has been sexually assaulted, then an FIR should be registered. … They don’t even think twice when they register FIRs against protesters, but why is this a problem in this case?”Brinda Karat, a CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha member who had earlier assisted the complainant inside the Parliament Street Police Station, said, “If a girl complains about sexual harassment, you have to file an FIR. Then they are asking for video proof. This means that if a woman is going somewhere and gets sexually harassed, she has to make a video.”Speaking to Newslaundry, the DCP, New Delhi, told us, “We have transferred this case to the Crime Branch, and it is not under us now.” According to The Indian Express, officers said on Sunday that they had recorded the women’s statements and would examine CCTV footage from the protest site. The Express report also took note of another journalist who alleged sexual harassment while covering the protest at Ashoka Road. “I was recording the detention of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan when I felt someone touching my back,” she alleged in her complaint, adding that she turned to find an officer “standing very close” to her. According to the complaint, when she confronted the officer, he allegedly dismissed her claim. Lawyer and human rights activist Vrinda Grover, in a post on X tagging Delhi Police and the DCP New Delhi, said “non registration of FIR of complaint of molestation by police is a cognizable offence”. She argued that police must now register two FIRs – one for molestation under Section 76 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and another for the non-registration of the first under Section 199 of the BNS. She said the investigation can be transferred to the Crime Branch only after both are registered.In a statement on October 4, DIGIPUB News India Foundation said women journalists covering the Jantar Mantar protests on October 2 and 3 faced sexual violence, misconduct and inappropriate touching by senior officers and other police personnel, while women personnel dragged them, snatched their microphones and pushed them into buses. Calling this “a direct attack on democracy, press freedom, and the dignity of women”, it demanded FIRs against the accused officers, their immediate suspension and an independent investigation.The Press Club of India said the same day that it was “shocked and dismayed” by the police’s treatment of journalists at Jantar Mantar on Friday and Saturday. It said journalists carrying press cards reported violent and aggressive behaviour, with some detained alongside protesters, and urged Delhi Police to “immediately act on the female journalist’s complaint”.Newslaundry has reached out to the Crime Branch for an update on the complaint. This report will be updated when we receive a response.A quarter-century of Modi governance calls for questions and a hamper. To mark the occasion, we have offers for subscribers and other readers.

New Delhi [India], October 4: The complaints from three women journalists alleging sexual harassment during protests in the national capital have been received, Delhi Police said on Sunday.The complaints have been made against police personnel."On 03-10-26, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. New Delhi District has received their complaints," Delhi Police informed on X.Complaints transferred to Crime BranchDelhi Police said the complaints are being transferred to the Crime Branch, Kamla Market."Same are transferred to Crime Branch for fair and impartial enquiry," police added.On 03-10-26, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. New Delhi District has received their complaints and the same are transferred to Crime Branch for fair and impartial enquiry.@PTI_News @ANI#DPUpdates— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 4, 2026Rahul Gandhi targets Delhi PoliceThe Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday accused Delhi Police of misconduct at Jantar Mantar, alleging that a female journalist was subjected to misbehaviour by a police officer. The protests were being held in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Holding the Home Ministry accountable for the actions of the police, Gandhi questioned the Home Minister, stating, "Amit Shah ji, where are you? You have to answer for this."VIDEO | Delhi: AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and party workers protest in front of Parliament Street police station, demanding registration of an FIR over the alleged sexual harassment of three women journalists amid a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 4, 2026In a post on X, Gandhi said that hundreds of journalists had been sitting at Jantar Mantar for hours demanding registration of an FIR.Gandhi said women across Delhi and students were gripped by fear for their safety and were staging satyagraha, while the police responsible for protecting women were raising hands against them.Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Atishi, Sanjay Jha, Students Among 500 Detained At Jantar Mantar - VIDEOHe further alleged that hundreds of people were taken into custody at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, and there were allegations of misconduct with women protesters.Protesters detained at Jantar MantarDelhi Police on Saturday detained several members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) during a protest near Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, as demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continued in the national capital.Also Watch:Several protesters, including AISA president Neha Bora and senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, attempted to breach police barricades near Jantar Mantar and move forward.Three FIRs registered over protestMeanwhile, Delhi Police have registered at least three FIRs in connection with the mass protest held near Jantar Mantar on October 2. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street (Sansad Marg) Police Station and one at Connaught Place Police Station.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)