Two women journalists allege assault by Delhi Police at Saket station, press bodies seek action

Two freelance women journalists were allegedly assaulted by Delhi Police personnel at Saket Police Station while they were covering the inauguration of a new wing at Max Hospital in Saket attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, according to journalist organisations.

Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan were allegedly detained by police while reporting from the venue and taken to Saket Police Station. They later alleged that they were beaten inside the police station.

Shaheen alleged that the assault became more severe after police personnel asked about their identities and learnt that they were Muslim. Videos circulating on social media showed the journalists with visible injury marks. The allegations could not be independently verified.

Delhi Police has denied the allegations. According to police, the two journalists had parked their scooter near a designated VVIP route and refused repeated requests to remove it. They were taken to the police station in view of VVIP security arrangements, police said.

The police also rejected allegations that the journalists were assaulted for attempting to question the chief minister, describing such claims as false and misleading.

The incident has drawn strong condemnation from several journalists' bodies.

The Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists have called for punitive action against the police personnel involved, including the Station House Officer of Saket Police Station.

The organisations alleged that the journalists were first manhandled at the spot before being taken to the police station, where they were assaulted. They also alleged that religion-specific abuse was directed at the journalists.

The press bodies have demanded a free and fair investigation by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and urged the Press Council of India to take suo motu cognisance of the incident and order an independent inquiry.

The incident has triggered concerns among journalists' organisations over the safety of reporters covering events involving senior political leaders and the conduct of police personnel towards journalists performing their professional duties.