The Press Club of India (PCI) and four other journalists’ organisations have condemned the alleged assault of two freelance journalists at Delhi’s Saket police station and called for punitive action against the police personnel involved, including the station house officer (SHO). DIGIPUB News India Foundation also condemned the alleged assault and detention of two women journalists from 4PM News Network by Delhi police.
According to a joint statement issued
by the PCI, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists, freelance journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan were allegedly assaulted while reporting on the inauguration of a new wing at Max Hospital in Saket.
The event was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta.
The press bodies alleged that the two journalists were first manhandled by a group of Delhi police personnel from Saket police station at the spot. They were then allegedly dragged into a police vehicle and taken to the police station.
The organisations said the situation escalated after the journalists were brought to the station. According to their statement, the station house officer (SHO) allegedly directed police personnel to take the two women into a room, where women police officers also joined in and the journalists were allegedly beaten.
The statement further alleged that the police personnel questioned the journalists about their religious identity and subsequently subjected them to religion-specific abuse. The two journalists were also allegedly threatened with the registration of first information reports (FIRs).
The organisations said videos circulating on social media appeared to show multiple bruises and welts on the bodies of the two journalists.
The allegations have prompted the five journalists’ bodies to seek a formal investigation into the conduct of the police personnel involved.
They have urged Delhi police commissioner Anurag Kumar to order a free and fair investigation into the alleged assault. They have also called on the Press Council of India to take suo motu cognisance of the incident and conduct an independent inquiry.
The organisations described the alleged use of violence against journalists as an attempt to suppress press freedom and said those responsible should face punitive action.
The joint statement was issued by PCI president Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty and secretary general Afzal Imam, along with representatives of the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists.
The allegations in the statement have not independently established the circumstances leading to the reported confrontation or the actions of individual police personnel. The press bodies, however, have called for an impartial investigation to establish the facts and fix responsibility.
The demand for a probe comes amid renewed concerns among journalists’ organisations about the treatment of reporters covering public events and the need to ensure journalists can carry out their professional duties without intimidation or violence.
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