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Delhi Police says three female journalists alleged sexual harassment by police officers during an October 3 protest in New Delhi. Complaints have been transferred to Crime Branch.
3 Female Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment By Delhi Police Personnel, Complaints Sent To Crime Branch (File photo/PTI)
Delhi Police on Sunday said they received complaints alleging sexual harassment by police officers during a protest in New Delhi on October 3, and that the same have been transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.
The police said the complaints were made by three female journalists while personnel were dealing with the law-and-order situation during the protest.
In a statement, Delhi Police said, “On 03-10-26, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers.”
“New Delhi District has received their complaints and the same are transferred to Crime Branch for fair and impartial enquiry,” the statement said.
The police statement comes against the backdrop of protests near Jantar Mantar on October 3, where demonstrators had gathered as part of a continuing agitation demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protests saw a significant police presence and multiple detentions as demonstrators attempted to reach the designated protest area near Jantar Mantar.
At A Glance
Delhi Police says three female journalists alleged sexual harassment by police officers during the October 3 protest in New Delhi.
New Delhi District Police transferred all three complaints to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”.
The allegations came amid Jantar Mantar protests, during which nearly 200 protesters were detained on Saturday.
News agency PTI reported that nearly 200 protesters were detained during Saturday’s demonstrations. Among those detained were AISA national president Neha Bora, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan.
The protesters, including members of student organisations and civil society groups, had attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders imposed in the New Delhi district.
The mobilisation followed protests on Friday, when nearly 1,000 people were detained in and around Jantar Mantar.
Many of those detained on Friday were subsequently released, according to the PTI report.
On Saturday, protesters marched from Patel Chowk towards Jantar Mantar.
Police and paramilitary personnel had erected barricades and deployed additional forces to prevent demonstrators from reaching the protest site.
Several protesters were detained as they gathered near the area and were taken to different police stations, officials said.
AISA Raises Similar Allegations
The allegations concerning the conduct of police personnel also came amid claims made by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) regarding the treatment of women protesters, journalists and lawyers during the demonstrations.
According to PTI, AISA alleged that women protesters, journalists and lawyers were manhandled by male police personnel and claimed that several women had complained of being groped.
The student organisation also alleged that male police officers abused women protesters and behaved unprofessionally during crowd management.
Three FIRs Registered Over Earlier Protest
The latest development comes as Delhi Police investigates cases arising from the wider protests at Jantar Mantar.
PTI reported that Delhi Police had registered at least three FIRs in connection with the mass protest held on October 2.
Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station.
Police invoked Sections 223(a), 221, 132 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with Friday’s protests.
The provisions relate to disobedience of a lawful order promulgated by a public servant, obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions, assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty, and acts carried out by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.
Ahead of the protests, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been imposed across the New Delhi district.
The order restricted gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas and slogan shouting without prior written permission.
The protests have been linked to the political debate surrounding the Election Commission’s SIR exercise.
The Election Commission has maintained that differing views raised during its deliberations are part of its standard institutional decision-making process and that decisions concerning the SIR schedule were unanimous.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The complaints arose from three female journalists who alleged sexual harassment by police personnel handling a law-and-order situation during protests on October 3, 2026.
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Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
October 04, 2026, 10:34 IST
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