Delhi Police have urged journalists to cover protests from a distance rather than move into the middle of a demonstration, as a row continues over allegations of sexual harassment by police personnel against three women journalists.
“Journalism has its role”
Responding to the issue, Sheoran said police had repeatedly appealed to journalists to report on demonstrations from a distance. “Some protestors come one day as a journalist and come the other day as a protestor. We keep appealing to them that you keep a little distance from the protestors, cover it from a distance. But still, they come in between and put obstacles in our work,” he said.
Delhi Police also posted a message on X highlighting the role of the media. It read, “Journalism has its role; journalism is not to be rolled.”
Three women journalists allege manhandling
On October 4, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Neha Yadav said three women journalists had filed a complaint alleging manhandling by Delhi Police officers and staff while they were detained during the October 3 demonstration.
In an earlier post on X, Delhi Police said, “On 03-10-26, during the protest in the New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. New Delhi District has received their complaints.”
Yadav said the complaints had been registered and medical examinations conducted. The matter has been referred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
NHRC seeks report from Delhi Police
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance on Thursday of media reports about the alleged sexual harassment of the three women by police personnel during the protest.
In a release, the Commission said the allegations, if true, raised serious concerns about possible human rights violations. It then issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
The allegations remain under investigation, with the Crime Branch handling the case.