Full Breakdown
Rahul Gandhi-Led Congress Protest Triggers Allegations of Police Misconduct and Political Reactions
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Core Incident: Alleged Molestation of Women Police Officers
During a Congress sit-in on Ashoka Road in Delhi on October 8, 2026, women police officers were reported to have been molested and injured while trying to remove a woman protester. Video clips shared on X show a policewoman being pushed. The Solicitor General presented the footage to the Supreme Court, citing “visuals from two days ago.”
Background & Context
The protest was part of a Congress campaign against alleged “vote theft” and actions of the Election Commission. Earlier that week, opposition MPs were stopped by police en route to Jantar Mantar, and an eight-hour dharna demanded a meeting with the Election Commissioners. The government was also preparing security for a separate protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) scheduled for October 10.
Official Statements & Responses
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court the protest was unlawful because no permission had been granted and that women police officers had been molested and verbally abused. He defended security curbs, including metro station closures, as necessary for law and order.
- The Supreme Court cautioned against a “complete prohibition” of metro services, urging a proportional balance between protest rights and the public’s need for transport.
Criticism & Opposition
The BJP accused Congress leaders of misconduct:
- “These are pictures of the anarchy being spread in the National Capital under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress party,” — Sidharth Yadav, BJP spokesperson
- “Reel-maker Rahul Gandhi pushed female cops, threatened men in uniform. Congress is provoking anarchy! The matter of the Election Commission is in the Supreme Court,” — Pradeep Bhandari, BJP spokesperson
- Gaurav Bhatia demanded an apology from Gandhi, while Smriti Irani, BJP national general secretary, linked the alleged police-officer misconduct to Gandhi’s “silence” on a separate sexual-harassment case at JNU, questioning his credibility on gender issues.
On-the-Ground Reports
Police say the altercation occurred while officers were escorting a woman protester away from the sit-in. The BJP released the video on X; Congress has not commented on the specific allegations of physical contact.
Data & Statistics
- The Solicitor General cited that over 200 police personnel were injured during the July CJP protests, highlighting broader security concerns. No precise injury count has been released for the October 8 Congress protest.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The government’s legal team asserts that women police officers were molested, but the exact number of injured officers remains unspecified.
- BJP officials present video evidence, yet independent verification of the incidents has not been reported.
- Congress leadership has not publicly addressed the accusations of physical contact with police officers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Please see visuals from two days ago. Lady police officers have been molested and injured,” — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- “These are pictures of the anarchy being spread in the National Capital under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress party.” — Sidharth Yadav, BJP spokesperson
- “Reel-maker Rahul Gandhi pushed female cops, threatened men in uniform. Congress is provoking anarchy! The matter of the Election Commission is in the Supreme Court. Matters in court are not decided on the basis of street mobilisation! Does the Congress not believe in a plea in the Supreme Court?” — Pradeep Bhandari, BJP spokesperson
What’s Next
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to produce the police order governing the October 10 CJP protest and to reconsider metro and train restrictions. The outcome will shape how future large-scale demonstrations are regulated in Delhi.