Full Breakdown
Delhi Police’s Handling of Jantar Mantar Protests and Allegations of Journalist Harassment
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and the tenure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, three women journalists alleged that Delhi Police personnel sexually harassed them while recording a detention at Jantar Mantar on October 3. The complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch. The same protests saw the detention of 260 participants, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, after police denied permission for an unauthorised march toward the Election Commission.
Background & Context
Delhi’s “standing order” – stemming from the Supreme Court’s 2018 Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan judgment – requires a ten-day prior permission for gatherings at Jantar Mantar and caps attendance at 1,000. Larger rallies must shift to venues such as Ramlila Maidan or Burari. The protest bloc “INDIA” and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) sought to use Jantar Mantar for a sit-in on October 10, but police rejected the request for late submission and prior non-compliance.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 3 | Women journalists allege sexual harassment; protest dharna begins at Parliament House Police Station. |
| Oct 4 | Journalists continue dharna; 17 students and independent journalists arrested. |
| Oct 5 | Patiala House Court grants bail to the 17 arrested protesters; media report of the harassment published. |
| Oct 6 | Police arrest a man for circulating an AI-generated video depicting ACP Vivek Bhagat in a sexual-assault scenario. |
| Oct 7 | CJP co-convenor Saurabh Das submits a protest permission request for Oct 10; police reject it. |
| Oct 8 | NHRC issues a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner, requesting a detailed report on the journalists’ allegations within two weeks. |
| Oct 10 (scheduled) | Planned CJP protest at Jantar Mantar remains denied. |
Data & Statistics
- Three women journalists filed harassment complaints.
- 260 people detained on Oct 6, including 10 MPs.
- 17 students and independent journalists arrested on Oct 4; later released on bail.
- Permission requires a 10-day advance application and a maximum of 1,000 participants at Jantar Mantar.
Official Statements & Responses
- Deputy Commissioner Neha Yadav confirmed registration of the complaints, medical examinations, and referral to the Crime Branch.
- Delhi Police posted on X that the matter was transferred for a “fair and impartial enquiry.”
- NHRC’s notice demands a detailed report within two weeks, citing potential human-rights violations.
- Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said the CJP’s Oct 10 request was denied because the application arrived after the ten-day deadline and the party had previously ignored lawful directions.
- Police cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as the legal basis for detentions.
Criticism & Opposition
- Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted that the police are “making women feel threatened” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.
- CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke called for the immediate arrest of ACP Vivek Bhagat, naming him in the harassment complaint.
What’s Next
- NHRC is expected to submit its detailed report on the journalists’ allegations within two weeks of the Oct 8 notice.
- No further permission has been granted for the CJP’s Oct 10 protest; any future attempts will need to meet the ten-day application rule and comply with prior lawful directions.