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Journalist harassment and massive security crackdown in New-

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2026-10-18 09:25 UTC → 2026-10-19 18:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Journalist harassment and ~~detention~~ massive security crackdown in ~~India~~ New-

Legal battles regarding press freedom and police conduct have escalated in New Delhi following protests against the Election Commission of India’s voter list revisions. The Delhi Union of Journalists and other press freedom groups have accused the Delhi Police of suppressing media activity through the detention and assault of reporters. Legal petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court of India challenging the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. These petitions also seek protections for journalists who claim they were forcibly removed and prevented from documenting demonstrations. In response, Delhi Police filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court defending their actions—including regulating Metro services and restricting mobile internet—as “proportionate to maintain public order,” while alleging that organizers failed to seek necessary permissions. In a counter-development, Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat has filed a First Information Report (FIR) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Bhagat alleges that an independent journalist made casteist remarks against him and obstructed his official duties during the October 3 protests. This filing follows previous allegations made by a journalist accusing the officer of sexual assault, a matter currently under investigation by the Crime Branch. Recent developments have seen the unrest expand to include allegations of gender-based violence. Women’s rights and queer organizations, including the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), marched to the Delhi Police Headquarters to demand disciplinary action against personnel accused of sexual harassment and physical violence against women and transgender protesters. CPI leader Annie Raja accused the government of using sexual assault as a weapon to silence women participating in public protests, noting an increase in reported misconduct since early October. Protests have since intensified as demonstrators claim the disenfranchisement of 130 million voters.

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