Delhi protest row: 3 women journalists allege sexual harassment, complaints sent to Crime Branch | Delhi News

Police detain protesters during protest

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has transferred complaints from three female journalists alleging sexual harassment by police personnel during a protest in the New Delhi area on October 3 to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further action.The complaints were received by the New Delhi district police amid what it described as an “emergent law and order situation” during the protest.“On 03-10-26, during the protest in the New Delhi area, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists in the context of the emergent law and order situation. New Delhi District has received their complaints and the same are transferred to Crime Branch, Kamla Market for further action,” Delhi Police said in a post on X.The Crime Branch at Kamla Market will examine the complaints and take further action based on the allegations, police said.The complaints came amid protests in the capital demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Protesters detained at Jantar MantarAround 150 people were detained in and around Jantar Mantar on Saturday as security forces prevented protesters from gathering at the site.Those detained included senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora.AISA also alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel during the demonstration. TOI reported that a video circulating on social media showed a male police officer grabbing Bora from behind while detaining her. Police have not responded to those allegations.CJP spokesperson alleges journalist was sexually assaultedThe complaints by the three journalists also come amid allegations raised by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das against Delhi Police.Das accused the police of refusing to register an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat over the alleged sexual assault of an independent journalist.He said he and CJP leader Ratna Singh had approached the police and demanded that an FIR be registered. Das also warned that journalists and protesters would return to the police station if the case was not registered.Dipke announces October 10 protestMeanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced another protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign.The announcement followed the CJP’s October 2 protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where thousands gathered despite police denying permission. Dipke has described the proposed Delhi demonstration as “Jantar Mantar 2.0” and said it would be peaceful.The CJP has been demanding Kumar’s resignation over its allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and the SIR exercise. The allegations have not been independently verified.Police conduct under scrutinyThe latest complaints add to scrutiny of police conduct during the protests.Delhi Police had registered three FIRs over the October 2 demonstrations, while hundreds of protesters were detained as they attempted to reach Jantar Mantar.The three journalists’ complaints will now be examined by the Crime Branch.

(With agency inputs)