Police Accused of Sexual Harassment Against Female Journalists and Protesters at Jantar Mantar

Kathmandu, October 4 – During a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, two female journalists and a female protester accused the police of sexual harassment. One female journalist reported that while detaining CIK Chairperson Neha Bora, ACP Vivek Bhagat placed his hand on her chest and pushed her. Similarly, a senior female journalist and a young female protester alleged sexual harassment by Delhi police.

In a statement issued via X (formerly Twitter), Delhi police confirmed that the matter has been forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation. The police stated, “On October 3, 2026, during a protest in New Delhi, three female journalists filed complaints of sexual harassment against police officials in the interest of maintaining peace and security.” They added, “The New Delhi district has received their complaints and referred the cases to the Crime Branch for a fair investigation.”

Abhijit Deepak, founder of the Kakroch Janata Party (KJP), shared a video on social media featuring one female journalist recounting her experience. In the video, she expressed frustration that despite waiting for over three and a half hours, an FIR had not been registered. The complainants had approached the Parliament Street police station in Delhi to file their complaints. One female journalist stated that many journalists and social activists stood in solidarity both inside and outside the police station, but no action had been taken by the police to date.

The KJP has called for journalists to gather at the Parliament Street police station at 11 a.m. on Sunday to show support. Regarding the sexual harassment allegations, a senior female journalist shared that while Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were being taken into custody, she was attempting to get their reactions when she suddenly felt someone touch her back. On turning around, she realized that a police officer had touched her private parts. She also mentioned that photographic evidence of the incident is included in her complaint.

In the video shared by Abhijit Deepak, the female journalist’s footage captures the moment Neha Bora was being taken into custody. She stated in the post, “Male officers detained her, and no female officers were accompanying them.”