New Delhi: Security measures were intensified at Jantar Mantar and near the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters on Tuesday as opposition parties prepared to stage a march in the national capital, ANI reported.
Delhi Police deployed additional personnel and erected multiple barricades around the area to regulate the movement of protesters and prevent any disruption during the demonstration.
The arrangements were made a day after police detained several protesters outside the Parliament Street Police Station. The protesters had gathered to demand action over allegations of sexual misconduct involving three women journalists during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 3.
Protesters Allege Police Assault
The demonstrators claimed they had spent the night outside the police station, from 6:00 PM on Sunday until 6:00 AM on Monday, seeking the registration of an FIR. They alleged that police detained them around 7:00 AM after a confrontation.
“We’ve been here since last night (Sunday). We’ve been sitting here from 6:00 PM yesterday (Sunday) until 6:00 AM today (Monday), and it’s almost 7:00 now. All we’re asking is for an FIR to be filed. Instead, the police are treating us terribly, detaining us, and She’s the victim of a sexual assault, and they beat her up too after dragging her away. All she wants is for an FIR to be filed,” said a protester.
A protester alleged that police officers used sticks against demonstrators inside the station. The protester further claimed that women and persons with disabilities were also subjected to physical assault.
“They are beating the disabled person, they are beating the woman, a stick is being used inside,” said another protester.
The demonstrators said they had gone to the police station to enquire about the progress of their complaint related to the alleged October 3 incident.
“The police are misbehaving with us… We are here to ask for the status of our complaint after 48 hours…” said protesters.
Complaints Sent For Probe
The three women journalists had alleged that they were sexually harassed by police personnel during the October 3 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police said the New Delhi district police received their complaints and forwarded them to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for a fair and impartial inquiry.
“On 03-10-26, during the protest in the New Delhi area, while there was a 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 have been transferred to the Crime Branch for fair and impartial enquiry,” said Delhi Police.
Meanwhile, police detained several members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) during a protest near Jantar Mantar targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was linked to continuing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
AISA president Neha Bora, senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal were among those who attempted to cross the police barricades and proceed further.