SC summons Delhi Police over assault on women journalists covering protests
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a senior Delhi Police officer to appear before it on Thursday and explain allegations that police personnel assaulted women journalists covering protests in the national capital.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued the direction after senior advocate Indira Jaising raised a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI). The petition seeks safeguards for journalists reporting from protest sites, particularly women.
The court’s intervention follows allegations that journalists covering demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 10 and 11 were manhandled, detained and prevented from carrying out their professional duties.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan also brought a separate contempt petition to the court’s attention, alleging that police action against journalists violated an earlier Supreme Court order issued on October 10.
In that order, the court had directed authorities to ensure that lawyers, journalists and other professionals could perform their duties without obstruction. It had also called for normal Metro and railway operations, uninterrupted internet access and the free movement of people, subject to traffic regulations and public order requirements.
The earlier directions came in response to contempt petitions alleging restrictions imposed ahead of a proposed protest.
The court had further stated that detentions must follow the procedure established by law, particularly during peaceful and unarmed gatherings outside areas where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were in force.
The senior police officer’s appearance is expected to address the allegations raised before the apex court.