Two independent journalists have alleged that Delhi Police personnel used batons against them near New Delhi Police Station during a protest on Saturday, even after they showed their press identity cards. The allegation has raised questions about police conduct towards journalists covering public demonstrations, while the officer concerned has denied that the incident took place.
According to the journalists, they were questioning members of the opposing CJP group when police personnel intervened. They alleged that the personnel lathi-charged them and continued using force after they identified themselves as members of the press.
The journalists also claimed that the police personnel involved were not wearing name badges. They said this made it difficult to identify the officers who allegedly used force and complicated accountability for the incident.
The account published by Millennium Post attributes the allegations directly to the two independent journalists. It does not include an independent confirmation of the alleged use of force, nor does it identify the personnel involved. The officer concerned, however, reportedly denied the incident.
The disputed account places the incident at a protest near New Delhi Police Station. The available information does not specify the nature of the protest, the number of people involved, whether any arrests or injuries were recorded, or whether a formal complaint was filed by the journalists.
The allegation centres on two connected issues: the use of force during a public gathering and the treatment of journalists attempting to question people at the site. Press identity cards, the journalists claimed, were shown to police personnel before the alleged use of batons continued. The report does not state whether the cards were examined or whether the journalists were asked to leave the area.
The claim regarding missing name badges is also significant to the account because identifying officers is a basic part of establishing responsibility when force is alleged. However, the supplied report does not provide the names, ranks or unit details of the personnel involved, and the officer’s denial means the circumstances remain contested.
No further police explanation, written statement, medical record, complaint document or video evidence is included in the available report. The account therefore establishes that two journalists have made the allegations and that the officer concerned has denied them, but it does not independently establish whether the alleged lathi-charge occurred.
The immediate next step would be clarification from Delhi Police on the alleged use of force, the identity and deployment of the personnel present near New Delhi Police Station, and whether any inquiry or complaint process has been initiated.
