Jantar Mantar Protest: NHRC Seeks Report on Alleged Harassment of Three Women Journalists

October 8, 2026

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding the alleged sexual misconduct of three women journalists by Delhi police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 3.

The NHRC stated that if the allegations made in the media reports are found to be true, it could amount to a serious human rights violation. The Commission has issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner and sought a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

Allegations of sexual misconduct during detention

According to media reports, three women journalists had alleged that they were allegedly sexually assaulted by police personnel while being detained during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The NHRC noted that media reports published on October 5 stated that the New Delhi District Police had received complaints regarding these incidents. These complaints were later transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for an impartial investigation.

The Delhi Police also confirmed this through a post on the social media platform X. According to the police, three female journalists had accused police officers of sexual misconduct during a protest in the New Delhi area on October 3.

The police stated that the New Delhi District Police had received their complaints and transferred them to the Crime Branch for an “impartial and independent investigation.”

Protests at Jantar Mantar over SIR

These protests were being held despite a prohibitory order being imposed at Jantar Mantar. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

ACP Vivek Bhagat requests to step down from his duties pending investigation

Meanwhile, amid allegations of alleged misconduct involving female journalists, ACP Vivek Bhagat himself requested that he not be allowed to continue holding the charge of temporary additional duty assigned to him until the matter is fully investigated and a satisfactory conclusion is reached.

Following his request, the Delhi government amended the order issued on October 5, which assigned additional charge to senior police officers.

The amended order removed Vivek Bhagat’s name, while retaining the additional charge assigned to the remaining 11 officers.