Three women journalists have complained of sexual harassment during a protest in New Delhi, with Delhi Police transferring their complaints to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further action.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi/ October 4: Three women journalists have complained of sexual harassment during a protest in the capital, prompting Delhi Police to transfer their complaints to the Crime Branch for further action.
The complaints were received by the New Delhi district police during Friday’s protest and have been sent to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market, Delhi Police said on Sunday.
In a post on X, the police said the complaints were received amid what it described as an “emergent law and order situation” during the demonstration.
“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,” the force said.
The Crime Branch will examine the complaints and decide on further action, police said. The transfer of the complaints does not by itself establish the allegations.
The complaints came amid continuing protests in Delhi demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
The Press Club of India’s statement on Delhi Police’s action against journalists and imposition of Internet ban in and around Jantar Mantar area:—
The Press Club of India is shocked and dismayed at the Delhi Police’s actions against and treatment of journalists during the protests at Jantar Mantar against the chief election commissioner on Friday and Saturday.
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.
The Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) must immediately act on the female journalist’s complaint and ensure that it gives mediapersons the space to do their jobs without having to face aggression and threats.
— Press Club of India (@PCITweets) October 4, 2026
Around 150 people demanding Kumar’s removal were detained in and around Jantar Mantar on Saturday after security forces prevented them from gathering at the protest site. Those detained included senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora.
AISA separately alleged that male police personnel manhandled women protesters, journalists and lawyers during the demonstration. A video circulating on social media appeared to show a male police officer grabbing Bora from behind while she was being detained. Delhi Police had not responded to those allegations at the time of reporting.
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The latest complaints also come against the backdrop of a separate allegation involving Delhi Police ACP Vivek Bhagat. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das has accused the police of refusing to register an FIR over allegations by an independent journalist that Bhagat sexually assaulted her.
Das said he and CJP leader Ratna Singh had approached the police and demanded registration of an FIR, and warned that journalists and protesters would return to the police station if no action was taken.
The allegations against Bhagat have not been established by a court, and the police response to the demand for an FIR was not immediately available.
On 03-10-26, during the protest in 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 and the same are transferred to Crime Branch for fair and impartial enquiry.
@PTI_News
@ANI
#DPUpdates— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 4, 2026
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced another protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not resign. He has described the proposed demonstration as “Jantar Mantar 2.0” and said it would be peaceful.
The announcement followed a CJP protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2, where thousands gathered despite police denying permission.
Delhi Police had already registered three FIRs over the October 2 demonstrations, while hundreds of protesters were detained while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar.
The three journalists’ complaints will now be examined by the Crime Branch, potentially adding another layer to the growing confrontation between protesters and the Delhi Police over demonstrations against the Election Commission and its handling of the SIR exercise.
