Jantar Mantar Women Journalists Complaint: What We Know About the Probe
Three women journalists alleged harassment by police at the Jantar Mantar protest. Delhi Police moved the complaints to the Crime Branch. A fact-based timeline.
The allegation
On October 3, during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, three women journalists said police officers harassed them while they were reporting. One journalist named a senior officer in a video statement. These remain allegations and have not been tested in any inquiry or court.
How Delhi Police responded
Delhi Police stated publicly that it had received complaints from three female journalists about police officers and had transferred them to the Crime Branch for a "fair and impartial enquiry". Journalists and supporters gathered for hours outside the Parliament Street police station asking for a First Information Report (FIR) to be registered.
Political response
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said women who ask questions were being silenced and asked Home Minister Amit Shah to respond, because Delhi Police reports to the Union Home Ministry, according to The Times of India. He also demanded that CCTV footage from Saket police station, linked to a separate earlier complaint, be made public.
The Press Club of India also sought immediate action. The BJP and the government have not accepted claims of a pattern of misconduct and say the matter is under official inquiry.
Why an FIR matters
An FIR is the formal start of a criminal case. A preliminary inquiry can come first in some situations, but complainants often press for an FIR because it creates a legal record and a timeline. Whether and when one is registered will be closely watched.
Link to the Chappal Protest
The CJP described its Bengaluru 'Chappal Protest' on October 8 as an act of solidarity with these journalists. The group's return to Jantar Mantar from October 10 means the issue is likely to stay in the headlines.
Timeline
- Oct 3: Complaints made during Jantar Mantar protest
- Oct 3–4: Sit-in outside Parliament Street police station
- Oct 4: Delhi Police announces Crime Branch inquiry
- Oct 5: Rahul Gandhi raises the issue publicly
- Oct 8: CJP holds solidarity protest in Bengaluru
Frequently asked questions
Who is investigating the Jantar Mantar complaints?
Delhi Police transferred the complaints to its Crime Branch.
Has an FIR been filed?
As of initial reports, journalists were still demanding an FIR; check the latest official updates.
Sources
Independently written from reporting by the outlets below. Allegations are attributed and have not been independently verified by EngBen. Details may change.