Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Press Bodies Condemn Journalist Detentions During Delhi Protests
Journalists were covering protests in Delhi where people wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Four journalists’ organisations said police detained some reporters even though they showed press cards.
They said some journalists were taken to detention centres and that phones and equipment were seized.
The groups called the detentions an attack on press freedom.
They asked police to release the journalists, return their belongings, apologise publicly, and investigate what happened.
They also want journalists to be allowed to report on protests without interference.
The report does not include a response from Delhi Police.
Four journalists’ organisations condemned the detention and alleged harassment of reporters covering Delhi protests.
The protests called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The organisations said journalists were detained despite displaying press identity cards, and that some phones and equipment were seized.
Reporters were taken to detention centres including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station, according to the report.
The groups demanded journalists’ release, return of seized equipment, a public apology, an inquiry, and assurances they could cover protests.
- Who
- Several journalists were detained; the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists and Kerala Union of Working Journalists’ Delhi unit condemned the detentions.
- What
- Journalists covering protests were detained; the organisations alleged harassment and seizure of phones and equipment and demanded remedies.
- When
- Saturday, October 11; the report identifies the date as October 11 but does not specify the year.
- Where
- Delhi, India, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station as reported detention locations.
- Why
- The journalists were reporting on protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Journalists’ organisations
Police position as described in the report
Detentions and press identification
Journalists’ organisations
The organisations said journalists were detained while filming police action despite displaying press cards, and called for an inquiry and public apology.
Police position as described in the report
The report says police officers dismissed some journalists’ claims of being members of the press; it provides no response from Delhi Police to the organisations’ demands.
Press accreditation
Journalists’ organisations
The organisations argued press freedom should not depend on Press Information Bureau accreditation, saying digital and independent media without PIB cards are still recognised as press under the law.
Police position as described in the report
The organisations questioned an earlier Delhi Police position that only journalists accredited by the Press Information Bureau would be allowed to cover the protests.
- Organisations issuing statement
- Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, and Kerala Union of Working Journalists’ Delhi unit
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Reported journalist treatment
- Detained while covering police action; organisations alleged harassment
- Reported equipment seizure
- Official reporting phones and other equipment belonging to some journalists were allegedly seized
- Reported detention locations
- Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station
- Demands
- Release of detained journalists, return of seized items, public apology, inquiry, and assurance of access to protests
- Security measures alleged by the organisations
- Deployment of 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel, metro station closures, and internet shutdowns
