New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked a senior Delhi Police officer to remain present in court and explain allegations that women journalists were assaulted while covering protests in Delhi.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant gave the direction after senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI). The petition seeks protection for journalists, especially women, reporting from protest sites.
“We would like some senior officers to remain present here and explain,” the CJI said. He added that the police would have to respond to the allegations.
Jaising told the court that the Solicitor General had been informed in advance. The petition will now be heard on Thursday, along with another case related to alleged police action, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Contempt Plea Mentioned
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan also mentioned a contempt petition filed by the Free Speech Collective. It alleged that police assaulted journalists despite the Supreme Court’s October 10 order that mediapersons covering protests should not be harassed.
Senior advocate Chander Uday Singh also mentioned the NWMI petition.
NWMI filed its petition on Monday. It alleged that women journalists covering protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on October 10 and 11 were assaulted, stopped from working and arbitrarily detained. The organisation said the journalists had shown valid press credentials, but were still prevented from reporting.
What The Petition Seeks
The petition asks the Union government to ensure that women journalists are not physically handled, threatened, detained or removed from protest sites while doing their work.
It also seeks clear rules for police-media interactions during protests and demonstrations. NWMI has asked the court to direct Delhi Police not to obstruct, assault or detain journalists performing their professional duties.
The organisation has further sought an independent probe and action against police personnel found responsible for the alleged assault and detention.
NWMI argued that the alleged action violates freedom of the press under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and may discourage journalists, particularly women, from reporting from the field.
The protests in Delhi were held by INDIA bloc parties, youth organisations and civil society groups against the SIR of electoral rolls, voter deletions and alleged electoral irregularities. Police had imposed restrictions, closed some Metro stations and curbed internet services.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court ordered the restoration of normal services. The matter will be heard again on Thursday.