Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Moves to Form All-Women Panel to Probe Sexual-Violence Allegations Against Women Journalists
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Supreme Court of India is considering the creation of a special committee to investigate complaints of sexual violence lodged by women journalists during recent anti-SIR protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Senior advocate Indira Jaising urged the bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, to constitute a panel of retired women judges and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to examine each allegation and to consider compensation for victims. The court also directed the Delhi Police not to take coercive action against a journalist who alleged sexual assault by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat.
Background & Context
The anti-SIR (Sedition-and-Incitement-Related) protests at Jantar Mantar attracted numerous journalists covering the demonstrations. Separate from the Court-appointed inquiry into the July 20 student protests at the same site, advocates argued that a distinct mechanism was needed to address the specific grievances of women journalists, including sexual harassment and assault. The Vishakha guidelines, which set workplace harassment safeguards, were cited as the procedural framework for the proposed committee.
Official Statements & Responses
- Indira Jaising told the bench that the committee should be “differently constituted” to focus on compensation and to handle each complaint individually, emphasizing confidentiality for complainants who wish to submit affidavits in sealed cover.
- The Supreme Court bench instructed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the police should refrain from any coercive measures against the journalist and should cooperate with a time-bound investigation.
- Tushar Mehta replied that the Delhi Police Crime Branch is handling the case and that the journalist would not be arrested, urging her to cooperate with the probe.
- The bench noted the need for “an extra layer of protection” for journalists, observing that while some are accredited, others operate independently, and that the legal status of “who is a journalist” may require clarification.
Data & Statistics
- The proposed committee would be composed of retired women judges and IPS officers (exact numbers not disclosed).
- The complaint involves a single journalist alleging assault by Assistant Commissioner Vivek Bhagat; the police have filed a first-information report (FIR) against the journalist for alleged casteist remarks and defamation in response.
Why It Matters
Establishing a dedicated, gender-sensitive panel could set a precedent for handling workplace harassment claims within the media sector, especially during politically charged events. The Court’s directive to limit police coercion underscores concerns about press freedom and the protection of journalists facing intimidation.
What's Next
The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi Police to complete its investigation into the journalist’s allegations within a time-bound framework and to submit findings to the Court. The final decision on the composition and mandate of the proposed committee remains pending.
