Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over the treatment of detained protesters, as Congress leaders alleged that activists were beaten, minors were released without their belongings or money, and journalists were detained despite displaying press credentials.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi/ October 14: Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Delhi Police of using excessive force against Youth Congress and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) activists detained during protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, highlighting the case of a Delhi University student from Kerala who alleges that police assault left her unable to hear in one ear.
Addressing a press conference alongside the detained workers, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha spoke about Athira, who claimed that police personnel repeatedly struck her after she was taken into custody.
“Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear. She can no longer hear. Last time I showed you a boy who was blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear,” Gandhi said.
Athira alleged that no woman police officer was present on the bus carrying the detained protesters. She said she questioned the absence of a female constable, which she maintained was required during the detention of women.
According to her account, the bus subsequently moved and stopped outside the Connaught Place police station. She alleged that police personnel then slapped her repeatedly on the cheek, injuring her eye and damaging her ear.
Another woman NSUI worker also alleged that she was assaulted while in police custody. Gandhi referred to her as “our sherni”, saying she had been beaten but remained unafraid.
The woman accused a female constable, identified as Chanchal Yadav, of grabbing her by the neck, forcing her onto a seat, scratching her face and the area around her ear with her fingernails, and slapping her when she resisted.
The allegations have added to mounting accusations of police excesses during the protests. Youth Congress leaders have claimed that officers struck detainees with lathis and kicked some of them in their private parts.
Congress representatives have also raised concerns over the alleged release of minors without their mobile phones, money or any means of returning home. They further alleged that several journalists were detained despite identifying themselves and displaying their press credentials.
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— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026
The demonstrations took place at locations including Connaught Place and near the Ramakrishna Ashram Marg Metro station. Protesters were demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The latest allegations relate to Tuesday’s protest, after which NSUI workers were reportedly transported in police buses.
The accounts of Athira and the other NSUI worker raise serious questions about the treatment of women protesters in custody. The allegations, however, require independent verification, including medical documentation and the police’s response to the specific accusations.
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