Journalists and content creators covering the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar against India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, have accused the Delhi Police of actions ranging from use of force to sexual assault. One particularly shocking and shameful incident involves a journalist alleging that an officer groped her breast. Demanding the registration of an FIR and legal action against the guilty police personnel, journalists and their supporters staged a sit-in at the Parliament Street police station for several hours on Saturday night.
As of Sunday morning (October 4, 2026), the Delhi Police had not yet registered an FIR in these cases. Police however, acknowledged on their social media handle (on X) that three such complaints had been received and that action was being taken.
The police stated that all three complaints have been referred to the Crime Branch for an impartial investigation and further action.
Despite being denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, a demonstration took place on Friday, October 2nd, demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. During the protest, All India Students’ Association (AISA) President Neha Bora, prominent lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, and leaders and activists from various student and youth organizations were detained, though they were later released. Images and videos showing them being forcibly handled—grabbed, manhandled, and dragged—during the detention went viral on social media. Another protest was held at the site on October 3rd. Throughout these events, several independent journalists and content creators were recording the police action. The police have acknowledged receiving complaints regarding the aforementioned incidents.
It is common that in an attempt to maintain a clean image, the police would try to conceal any errors or use of excessive force, prevent the creation of evidence, or destroy existing evidence. Consequently, police personnel often snatch the mobile phones and cameras of those recording videos or force them to stop filming. This pattern was observed during this protest as well. However, one specific complaint has sparked immense outrage among journalists and content creators working in Delhi. This case involves an independent female journalist who was compelled to turn to social media for help on Saturday night. The journalist was frustrated by the lack of action on her complaint she had filed at the Parliament Street police station.
The complainant stated that she was recording the events surrounding the forcible detention of AISA President Neha Bora during the protest. She alleged that, at that moment, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) present at the scene grabbed her by the chest and shoved her. When the female journalist questioned the ACP about this conduct, he had no answer and subsequently left the spot.
The journalist went to the Parliament Street police station to lodge a complaint regarding the sexual assault she had faced; however, far from any action being taken against the officer, not even an FIR was registered.
The Delhi Police’s modus operandi in suppressing protests and the incident involving the female journalist are facing widespread condemnation. Cockroach Janta Party leaders Abhijit Deepke and Saurabh Das have demanded immediate action against the guilty officer.
Press Club of India President Sangeeta Barua and General Secretary Afzal Imam have expressed outrage over the Delhi Police’s treatment of journalists covering the Jantar Mantar protest on Friday and Saturday. In a statement issued on Sunday morning, they noted that the police not only subjected journalists to violent behavior but also detained them even after they presented their identity cards. They stated that such conduct is not normal in any democracy and emphasized the necessity of allowing journalists to work freely and without fear. They added that the occurrence of such incidents—even in the national capital—does not bode well for media freedom in the country.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, condemned these incidents and targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah. As Delhi is a Union Territory, its police force falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs; consequently, Rahul Gandhi holds Mr. Shah accountable for such incidents.
