Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Women Journalists Allege Assault After Questioning Delhi Chief Minister
Two women journalists said police stopped them while they were trying to ask Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta a question.
They said they were taken to Saket Police Station.
Shaheen Khan alleged that police beat and mentally harassed both women.
She also said the treatment became worse after officers learned they were Muslims.
A video showed Khan making these allegations and showing injuries on Nafisa Khan.
Political leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress criticized the alleged police behavior.
Several journalist organizations asked for punishment if the allegations are proven.
Delhi Police had not publicly responded when the report was published.
Journalist Shaheen Khan alleged that Delhi Police detained and assaulted her and colleague Nafisa Khan after they tried to question Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Khan alleged that the assault intensified after police learned that the journalists were Muslims; Delhi Police has not commented.
A video showed Khan at a police station alleging assault and mental harassment, while displaying injury marks on Nafisa Khan.
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders condemned the alleged incident and called for action against the officers involved.
Press organizations urged Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to conduct a free and fair investigation into the allegations.
- Who
- Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan allegedly faced police assault; Delhi Police officers were accused. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attending the event they tried to cover.
- What
- The journalists alleged detention, physical assault and mental harassment after attempting to question the chief minister.
- When
- September 3, 2026.
- Where
- The incident allegedly began at an event at a private hospital in Delhi and continued at Saket Police Station.
- Why
- According to the allegations, the journalists were detained after Shaheen Khan tried to ask Rekha Gupta a question; Khan also alleged that the assault intensified after police learned they were Muslims.
Journalists and Critics
Police Response
What happened at the event
Journalists and Critics
Shaheen Khan and 4PM News Network alleged that police detained and beat Khan after she tried to question Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and that Nafisa Khan was also assaulted.
Police Response
Delhi Police had not commented on the allegations, so no official account or response was provided in the report.
Alleged religious discrimination
Journalists and Critics
Shaheen Khan alleged that the assault became more violent after police heard her surname and learned that the journalists were Muslims; opposition leaders repeated the concern.
Police Response
The report contains no police response confirming or addressing this allegation.
Accountability
Journalists and Critics
Aam Aadmi Party and Congress leaders, along with journalist organizations, demanded action against the officers and an impartial investigation.
Police Response
The report does not state whether any officers were disciplined or whether a formal investigation had begun.
- Alleged victims
- Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan
- Public official at event
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
- Police station named
- Saket Police Station
- Allegation
- Detention, physical assault and mental harassment
- Religious-discrimination allegation
- Shaheen Khan alleged that the assault intensified after police learned the journalists were Muslims
- Police response
- Delhi Police had not commented on the allegations
- Investigation demand
- Press organizations called for a free and fair inquiry and punitive action if warranted