Full Breakdown
Police Detentions and Alleged Assaults on Journalists and Protesters During Delhi’s Anti-SIR Demonstrations
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Police Actions on the Weekend of the Anti-SIR Demonstrations
- During the anti-SIR protests in New Delhi, journalists were detained despite showing press IDs, and protestors reported physical assaults inside police vans.
- The Supreme Court intervened, ordering a senior Delhi Police officer to appear and directing that peaceful assemblies be handled according to law.
Background & Context
- The protests were organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by student groups such as the All India Students’ Association (AISA), demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- Delhi Police had reminded journalists to wear ID cards while covering the protest.
Data & Statistics
- Media monitoring groups recorded at least three dozen journalists alleging detention or assault.
- Four Newslaundry reporters were held from Connaught Place to Chhatrasal Stadium for roughly 45 minutes.
- Protestors said a police van carried 17 detainees, including 15 women, for several hours before being taken 40 km to a detention centre in Najafgarh.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Justice Surya Kant asked a senior Delhi Police officer to appear before the Court and extended the deadline for compliance with the October 9 order that prohibited “illegal detentions” of peaceful protestors and journalists.
- A senior Central district police official indicated that a case would be registered and examined, though the Delhi Police has not issued a detailed public response to the specific assault claims.
Criticism & Opposition
- The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ) and the Editors Guild of India expressed “grave concern” over alleged sexual assault against women journalists and demanded immediate release of detained media workers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All four of us showed the police our press IDs but they did not let us go,” — Ashwin, Newslaundry
- “They took us in and started hitting us individually,” — Naureen, Revolutionary Workers Party of India
- “When he did not give the password, they slapped him multiple times and then snatched his phone,” — Arjun Unnikrishnan, activist and lawyer
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Some journalists say their phones were seized and later returned; others say phones were taken and not recovered, with no police confirmation.
- Video evidence shows police both restraining assailants and appearing to guide attackers; the extent of police involvement remains disputed.
- Reported numbers of protestors detained in vans vary (17 versus “several dozen”), and no official FIR list has been released.
Timeline
- October 8, 2026 – Separate incident involving a metro seat dispute reported.
- October 9 (scheduled) – Supreme Court order prohibiting a complete shutdown of metro and railway services ahead of protests.
- October 10 (scheduled) – Police reminder that journalists must wear ID cards while covering the protest.
- Weekend of the anti-SIR protests – Journalists and protestors detained and assaulted as described above.
- October 11, 2026 – Supreme Court hearing; senior police officer summoned; Court directs that peaceful assemblies be dealt with per law.
- October 15 (scheduled) – Further hearing on compliance with Supreme Court directives.
What’s Next
- The Supreme Court has set a compliance deadline for the Delhi Police to submit a report on the allegations; the matter is slated for an additional hearing on October 15, 2026.
- Advocacy groups have pledged to monitor the investigation and to file further petitions if the police fail to register FIRs for the alleged assaults.