The National Human Rights Commission has sought a detailed report from the Delhi Police commissioner within two weeks over allegations of misconduct by police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar, after three journalists complained of being manhandled during detention.
The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the allegations and said the contents of a news report, if true, raised serious issues involving possible violations of human rights. The commission’s action places the conduct of police during demonstrations under formal rights scrutiny.
The complaints relate to incidents reported during a protest against the Special Intensive Revision exercise. According to the report cited by the NHRC, the New Delhi District Police had received complaints about the alleged incidents and later transferred them to the Crime Branch for inquiry.
Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Neha Yadav said three women who identified themselves as journalists lodged a complaint at around 6 pm on October 4, alleging that Delhi Police officers and staff had manhandled them during their detention on October 3. Yadav said the complaint had been registered and that medical examinations had been conducted.
The police officer also said the matter had been referred to the Crime Branch. The transfer means the allegations are now subject to an inquiry by a specialised investigative unit within the Delhi Police, while the NHRC has separately asked the police commissioner to submit a report on the matter.
The alleged conduct took place in the context of a protest at Jantar Mantar, one of New Delhi’s designated public demonstration spaces. The location regularly hosts political, social and civic protests and is also close to key government institutions. Allegations concerning detention and treatment of demonstrators at such a site therefore involve both policing procedures and the administration of public assembly.
The allegations later led to protests outside Parliament Street police station. Demonstrators gathered there over the alleged misconduct involving the women journalists, adding a second site of public mobilisation to a dispute that began at Jantar Mantar.
The NHRC has not established that the allegations occurred. Its statement said the reported contents, if true, would raise serious human-rights concerns. The Delhi Police inquiry and the report sought by the commission are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the detention, the conduct alleged by the complainants and the steps taken by officers at the time.
The immediate formal deadline is the two-week period given by the NHRC to the Delhi Police commissioner. The police inquiry by the Crime Branch and the commission’s consideration of the report will determine the next official developments in the matter.
