2 hrs ago
Delhi Police Issues Journalist Guidelines Amid Jantar Mantar Harassment Allegations
Delhi Police has given journalists rules for covering protests.
Reporters should carry press identification and keep it visible.
They should not get in the way of police work.
The police also said journalists should keep a safe distance and be easy to distinguish from protesters.
The advisory came after three women journalists said police personnel sexually harassed them during protests at Jantar Mantar.
Police said those complaints have been sent to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry.
Separately, a senior police officer denied social-media claims that female protesters were physically assaulted.
He said detentions and releases followed the law.
Delhi Police issued a four-point advisory for journalists covering protests and tense situations.
The advisory asks reporters to carry and display valid press identification and avoid obstructing police operations.
Journalists were told to keep a reasonable, safe distance and position themselves apart from protesters.
Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during protests at Jantar Mantar; the complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry.
New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma rejected social-media allegations that female protesters were physically assaulted, calling them baseless and misleading.
- Who
- Delhi Police, journalists covering protests, and the women journalists who made allegations.
- What
- Police issued a four-point advisory for journalists; allegations of sexual harassment were referred to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- When
- The advisory followed allegations made during recent protests; the article says police rejected social-media assault allegations on Monday.
- Why
- The advisory sets out how journalists should identify themselves and cover protests without obstructing police operations; it was issued amid allegations against police personnel.
Journalists’ allegations
Police statements
Alleged harassment of women journalists
Journalists’ allegations
Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during the Jantar Mantar protests; one said an assistant commissioner of police touched her inappropriately and pushed her while she was recording police action.
Police statements
Delhi Police said the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry; the article does not report a specific police response to the individual journalist’s account.
Claims of physical assault against female protesters
Journalists’ allegations
Allegations circulated on social media that female protesters had been physically assaulted during recent protests.
Police statements
New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma called those allegations baseless and misleading, and said female protesters were handled by female staff with dignity and due regard.
Key facts
- Advisory
- Four points for journalists covering protests and tense situations.
- Identification
- Journalists were advised to carry valid organization-issued identification or valid PIB/DIP accreditation and display it visibly.
- Reporting position
- Reporters were advised not to obstruct police and to maintain a reasonable, safe distance.
- Allegations
- Three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during protests at Jantar Mantar.
- Inquiry
- Delhi Police said the complaints were transferred to the Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry.
- Police response
- New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma called social-media claims of physical assault against female protesters baseless and misleading.
Quotes
Sachin Sharma
New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police.
“Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard,”
freepressjournal.in
“The story matters, So does how you get it! Guidelines for journalists.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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