Rahul Gandhi attacks Delhi Police over Jantar Mantar allegations

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Delhi Police of targeting women protesters and journalists during recent demonstrations in the national capital, and demanded that CCTV footage from the Saket police station be made public.

On Monday, protesters, including journalists and activists, were detained outside the Parliament Street police station while demanding registration of an FIR and action over the allegations. The protesters also sought access to CCTV footage and questioned the delay in filing an FIR. The police said the complaints were being investigated by the Crime Branch and relevant footage was being examined.

Read more: Kharge lists ‘non-negotiable’ demands: CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, SIR annulment, ballot paper polls


In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi alleged that hundreds of people had been detained at Jantar Mantar, where women protesters accused male police personnel of misbehaviour. He also alleged that cameras were snatched from women journalists and that they 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.

Read more: Protesters detained outside Delhi police station, demand FIR over journalists’ harassment claims

The remarks came a day after three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel while covering a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3. The Delhi Police has said it received the complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch for an enquiry.

Gandhi also referred to an earlier incident involving journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan at the Saket police station in September. The two women 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 had demanded that CCTV footage from the police station be preserved and released and sought action against the personnel involved.

Delhi Police, however, had denied the allegations made by Shaheen and Nafisa, describing them as “factually incorrect” and “misleading”. Police said the journalists had been detained after allegedly obstructing a designated VVIP route and refusing to move their scooter despite repeated instructions.

Calling for the entire CCTV footage from the Saket police station to be made public, Gandhi said immediate action should be taken against police officers found guilty. He also sought justice for Shaheen, Nafisa and others who have alleged violence by Delhi Police.

"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 Oppostion of Lok Sabha.

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

The recent allegations have emerged against the backdrop of protests in Delhi over demands for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and criticism of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police have detained protesters at Jantar Mantar and imposed restrictions on gatherings in parts of New Delhi.