Full Breakdown
Delhi Police Detain Journalists During Oct. 10 Protest Crackdown
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Mass Detentions of Reporters
On October 10 2026, Delhi Police rounded up reporters covering a demonstration at Jantar Mantar and placed them in police-run buses despite the Supreme Court’s direction that journalists “cannot be detained or harassed.” Detentions continued on October 11, affecting staff from Hindustan Times, Indian Express, PTI, Peek TV, The Quint, Scroll, Newslaundry and regional channels. Video posted by journalists Sreenivasan Jain and Hrishikesh Sharma shows reporters being bundled into vans, their press cards displayed yet ignored.
Background & Context: Protest Against the Election Commissioner and Police Guidelines
The crackdown followed the Cockroach Janta Party’s call for a rally on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police denied permission on October 9, citing non-compliance with conditions from a July protest.
Data & Statistics: Journalists Detained
- At least six journalists reported detained on October 11.
- Indian Express Hindi listed three reporters (Shashwat, Siya, Vijay).
- Peek TV identified two journalists (Vedanta Agarwal, Sara Khan).
- The Quint’s Sarthak Jaiswal and Scroll’s Ayush Tiwari were placed in detention buses on October 10.
- Newslaundry reported four of its reporters detained, phones seized, and Inspector Dhan Singh Malik identified as the officer who confiscated devices.
- Eyewitness accounts suggest dozens of journalists were detained across the two days, though exact totals vary.
Official Statements & Responses
- Delhi Police’s internal guidelines, released days before the protest, instructed reporters to “display their press cards prominently.” The actions on October 10-11 contradicted this instruction.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged immediate release of all detained journalists and return of seized equipment.
- Amnesty International India’s chair, Aakar Patel, called for unconditional release of those detained for exercising freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Criticism & Opposition
- CPJ’s Asia-Pacific programme coordinator, Kunal Majumder, condemned the police for “impeding the press.”
- The All India Students’ Association (AISA) labeled the police actions “illegal” and demanded an end to violence against detainees.
- Student activist Abhigyan reported that four individuals, including lawyer Fidel Tom, were “beaten very badly” and held past midnight, highlighting concerns about police brutality beyond journalists.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise number detained: The Wire mentions “at least six” additional journalists on October 11, while Indian Express Hindi cites three specific reporters. Newslaundry’s claim of “around 30 people” in a single bus includes both protesters and journalists. No official police tally has been released, leaving the total count uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been detained solely for exercising their right to Freedom of Expression and Right to peaceful assembly,” — Aakar Patel, chair, Amnesty International India
- “We call on the Delhi Police to immediately release all detained journalists and media workers and allow the press to cover the ongoing protests in Delhi and the police response without interference,” — Kunal Majumder, CPJ Asia-Pacific programme coordinator
- “Delhi Police grave illegality will be fought and exposed. We demand the violence on detainees to be stopped immediately,” — AISA
- “The police have beaten all four of them very badly.” — Abhigyan, student activist