India
oi-Ashish Rana
Three women journalists have accused police personnel of sexual harassment during the October 3 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. The allegations have now led to a formal enquiry, with the Delhi Police transferring the complaints to its Crime Branch, an officer said on Sunday.
Following allegations of sexual harassment by three women journalists against police during an October 3 protest at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police has transferred the complaints to its Crime Branch for a formal inquiry, with ACP Vivek Bhagat named in one accusation.
The allegations emerged after police personnel were deployed at the protest site to control the situation and detain protesters. One of the journalists had earlier alleged that an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) sexually assaulted her during the confrontation.
Crime Branch To Examine Allegations
The New Delhi district police received complaints from the journalists following the alleged incidents and subsequently referred the matter to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial enquiry.
The Crime Branch is expected to examine the allegations and record the statements of the complainants, police personnel and other people connected with the incident as part of its investigation.
Journalist Names ACP In Complaint
One of the women journalists told PTI that she and others subsequently went to a police station to lodge an FIR, but alleged that no action had been taken.
“Police personnel were detaining protesters, and there were no women police personnel present at the spot. I asked ACP Vivek Bhagat of the Delhi Police about the absence of women police personnel, following which he sexually assaulted me and pushed me back,” she alleged.
However, ACP Vivek Bhagat could not be contacted despite repeated calls and messages.
A source said his name was mentioned in the complaint submitted by the journalists.
Press Council Seeks Immediate Action
The Press Council of India expressed “shock and dismay” over the police’s treatment of journalists covering the protest and urged the Delhi Police to act on the complaint immediately.
“Behaviour of this kind cannot be normalised in a democracy. Journalists must be allowed to work freely, without fear, and document those who gather to raise various issues. That this is not being allowed even at the heart of the national capital does not bode well for the trajectory of media freedom in India,” it said in a statement.
“The Delhi Police must immediately act on the female journalist’s complaint and ensure that it gives media persons the space to do their jobs without having to face aggression and threats,” it added.
