Women journalists detained after groping charge against cops: AISA's Neha Bora
All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora on Monday claimed that journalists protesting over the alleged sexual harassment of three women journalists by police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar had been detained.
Bora’s claim came as protesters gathered outside the Parliament Street police station today demanding registration of an FIR and a probe into the allegations arising from the October 3 protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post on X, Bora said the protesting journalists were detained at a Delhi Cantt police station, adding that a team of lawyers was in touch with them.
She also appealed to lawyers who could reach the police station immediately to get in touch with her.
A PTI news agency report also said that several protesters were detained as they demonstrated outside the Parliament Street police station. They demanded that CCTV footage of the October 3 incident be examined and action be taken on the complaints.
Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during the October 3 protest at Jantar Mantar.
One of the journalists claimed that an assistant commissioner of police sexually assaulted her after she questioned the absence of women police personnel at the protest site.
She alleged that police personnel were detaining protesters and that no women police personnel were present. She said she questioned ACP Vivek Bhagat about their absence, following which he sexually assaulted her and pushed her back.
Delhi Police said it had received complaints from the three women journalists following the alleged incidents and transferred them to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.
The Crime Branch will examine the allegations and record statements of the complainants and other people concerned, according to the police.
The Press Club of India expressed “shock and dismay” over the treatment of journalists during the protest and called for immediate action on the complaint. It said journalists should be able to work freely and without fear while covering protests.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also questioned the delay in registering an FIR, saying Delhi Police comes under the Union Home Ministry.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleged that ACP Bhagat had misbehaved with and touched the woman journalist inappropriately, and called for an FIR and his suspension.
On its part, AISA alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel during the protest. The organisation also claimed that several women complained of being groped by male police personnel.- Ends(With PTI inputs)
