Delhi Protests Intensify: FIRs, Detentions, & Police Misconduct Allegations Rock Jantar Mantar
Delhi Protests Intensify: FIRs, Detentions, & Police Misconduct Allegations Rock Jantar Mantar
Massive protests rock Delhi as activists demand CEC removal over electoral roll irregularities. Police register FIRs, detain hundreds, but face severe allegations of manhandling and harassment. Rahul Gandhi slams MHA.
Protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, intensified in Delhi this past weekend. The demonstrations, which began on Friday, saw political leaders, civil society activists, and student and youth organizations continue their agitation into Saturday, leading to hundreds of detentions on both days.
Delhi Police registered three First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with Friday's protest. Two FIRs were lodged at the Parliament Street police station, and one at the Connaught Place police station. These were filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including disobedience of a lawful order, voluntarily obstructing a public servant, and use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging official duty.
While no specific individuals or organizations were named in the FIRs, details of those who proposed or participated in the demonstrations were included. Police had previously denied permission for the protest.
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters marched towards Jantar Mantar amidst heavy police deployment and barricades.
Traffic diversions were put in place on Jantar Mantar Road and Raisina Road to manage the situation. The call for Saturday's protest was issued by All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, following the detention of nearly 1,000 people the previous day.
The march started near Patel Chowk metro station and included participation from several Left student organizations, Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal, and social activist Anjali Bharadwaj. Amidst the detentions, which included Ms. Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav, and others, serious allegations of police misconduct have emerged.
AISA released a statement claiming that "women protesters, journalists, and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel," with several women specifically reporting being groped. A female student further alleged that a police officer used expletives and manhandled her during detention.
In a separate incident, a woman journalist claimed she was sexually harassed by a male police officer while reporting on the protest and that the police refused to register her complaint. A group of independent journalists subsequently staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station. The Delhi Police have not yet responded to these grave allegations.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, condemned the incidents on X, stating, "A female journalist has accused a police officer of misconduct at Jantar Mantar.
For hours, hundreds of journalists have been sitting there with just one demand: that an FIR be registered.
Isn't that the police's basic duty?...
Women across Delhi and students are gripped by fear for their safety... Delhi Police comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Amit Shah ji, where are you?
You have to answer for this." His remarks highlight the growing pressure on authorities to address the concerns raised by the protesters and journalists.
