CEC Gyanesh Kumar ouster protest: SC asks senior Delhi Police officer to appear over allegations involving women journalists during protest
Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked a senior Delhi Police officer to remain present before it on October 15 to assist the court and explain allegations of sexual harassment, assault and intimidation of women journalists covering the October 10 protest in the national capital demanding the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, heading a bench also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said: "I would like some senior officer to be present here to assist us or to explain." The direction came while the bench was hearing a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India, seeking safeguards for journalists covering protests and public demonstrations.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the petitioner organisation, told the court that the petition specifically concerned allegations of sexual harassment faced by women journalists while covering the protests. She requested that the matter be heard along with other petitions arising from the October 10 protests and informed the bench that advance notice had been given to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The petition seeks protection for journalists against alleged assault, intimidation, and arbitrary detention. It has also sought enforceable safeguards governing police interaction with journalists during protests, an independent inquiry into the alleged incidents and action against police personnel found responsible. The plea refers to allegations by women journalists that they were manhandled, detained and prevented from performing their professional duties despite identifying themselves as members of the press. It also refers to a separate October 3 incident in which three women journalists alleged sexual harassment by Delhi Police personnel during their detention following a protest near Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police have said the complaints were transferred to its Crime Branch for an impartial inquiry. The National Human Rights Commission subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the allegations and sought a detailed report from the Delhi Police Commissioner.
The Supreme Court had, on October 11, directed that lawyers, journalists and other professionals should not be obstructed in discharging their professional duties while dealing with allegations of restrictions on movement and unlawful detention during the protests. The matter will be taken up on October 15 along with connected petitions.
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