Parliament Street violence: Delhi Police files 4 FIRs for rioting, stabbing and obstruction; 18 arrested

Delhi Police registered four FIRs and arrested 18 people following violence at Parliament Street on Monday, as demonstrations over allegations of misconduct against women journalists and protesters continued in the national capital.

Police sources, quoted by ANI, said separate cases have been registered in connection with stabbing, rioting, defacement and obstruction of a public servant from discharging official duties. All 18 people arrested were produced before a court on Monday.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi attacks Delhi Police over Jantar Mantar allegations


The police action followed protests outside Parliament Street police station, where journalists, activists and other demonstrators sought registration of an FIR and action over allegations concerning the conduct of police personnel during recent demonstrations.

Protesters also demanded access to CCTV footage and questioned why an FIR had not been registered earlier.

Delhi Police said complaints relating to the allegations have been handed over to the Crime Branch for investigation and that relevant footage is being examined.

Rahul Gandhi weighs in

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday joined the controversy, accusing Delhi Police of targeting women journalists and protesters and demanding the release of CCTV footage linked to an earlier incident at Saket police station.

In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that hundreds of people had been detained at Jantar Mantar and referred to accusations by women protesters of misbehaviour by male police personnel. He further alleged that cameras belonging to women journalists were snatched and that some journalists were dragged by police personnel.

“What’s happening in Delhi right now follows a single pattern: silence any woman who dares to ask questions,” Gandhi said.

His comments followed allegations by three women journalists who accused police personnel of sexual harassment while they were covering a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3.

Delhi Police has said it received the complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch for an enquiry.

Earlier Saket police station allegations

Gandhi also raised a separate September incident involving journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan at Saket police station.

The two journalists had alleged that they were detained and assaulted by Delhi Police personnel while covering an event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. They subsequently sought the preservation and release of CCTV footage from the police station and action against the personnel allegedly involved.

Delhi Police denied their allegations, calling them “factually incorrect” and “misleading”. According to police, the journalists were detained after allegedly obstructing a designated VVIP route and refusing to move their scooter despite repeated instructions.

Gandhi called for the complete CCTV footage from Saket police station to be released and sought action against any police officers found guilty. He also demanded justice for Shaheen, Nafisa and others who have accused Delhi Police personnel of violence.

"Those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting women are now the ones posing a threat to them. And everyone in this country knows who the Delhi Police answers to," said the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"Mr. Amit Shah—why are you and your police so afraid of women?" Gandhi questioned.

Protests over Election Commission

The latest confrontation comes amid demonstrations in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Protesters have gathered at Jantar Mantar as part of the demonstrations, while police have detained participants and imposed restrictions on gatherings in parts of New Delhi.

Monday's developments have now added a criminal investigation into the violence at Parliament Street to the continuing dispute over the allegations against police personnel.

With inputs from agencies