Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Women Journalists Allege Harassment; Delhi Police Refer Complaints for Inquiry
Three women journalists say police officers harassed them while they were covering a protest in New Delhi.
The protest took place at Jantar Mantar on October 3.
One of the journalists told PTI that a senior police officer sexually assaulted her.
Delhi Police says it received the complaints and sent them to its Crime Branch for an inquiry.
The inquiry is expected to include statements from the women and others.
Congress leaders criticized the government and called for an FIR and action against any officers responsible.
The Press Council of India also urged police to act on the complaints.
The allegations have not yet been decided by the inquiry.
Three women journalists accused Delhi Police personnel of sexual harassment during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3.
Delhi Police said it received their complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch in Kamla Market for an inquiry.
One journalist told PTI that an assistant commissioner of police sexually assaulted her; the allegations have not been determined.
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Pawan Khera criticized the government and called for an FIR and action against those responsible.
The Press Council of India expressed shock and urged Delhi Police to act; Rahul Gandhi also criticized the police, while protesters were detained during related demonstrations.
- Who
- Three women journalists made allegations against Delhi Police personnel; Delhi Police transferred their complaints to its Crime Branch.
- What
- The journalists alleged sexual harassment during a protest; the complaints are to be examined in an inquiry.
- When
- The protest and alleged incidents were on October 3, 2026; Delhi Police announced the transfer on October 4.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- Why
- The protest was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; demonstrations were also linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Complainants and critics
Police response
Alleged conduct and accountability
Complainants and critics
The journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel. Congress leaders criticized the government, called for an FIR and action against responsible officers, and Rahul Gandhi accused police of misconduct.
Police response
Delhi Police said it received the complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch for a fair and impartial inquiry; the report does not give a police response addressing the substance of the allegations.
Whether an FIR had been registered
Complainants and critics
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said no FIR had been registered and no concrete action had been taken at the time of her statement.
Police response
Delhi Police said the complaints were referred for inquiry. The report does not say an FIR had been registered in relation to these complaints; the three FIRs it mentions concerned a separate October 2 protest.
- Complainants
- Three women journalists
- Allegation
- Sexual harassment by police personnel
- Incident date
- October 3, 2026
- Police response
- Delhi Police said it received the complaints and transferred them for a fair and impartial inquiry.
- Inquiry office
- Crime Branch, Kamla Market
- Congress demand
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Pawan Khera called for an FIR and action against those responsible.
- Press Council of India
- Expressed shock and dismay and urged Delhi Police to act on the complaints.
- Related protest cases
- Delhi Police registered at least three FIRs concerning a mass protest near Jantar Mantar on October 2; these were separate from the journalists' complaints.
