Journalists to Move Supreme Court Over Police Assault During Delhi Protest

New Delhi: Journalists are preparing to approach the Supreme Court over police excesses during a protest in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has asked journalists who were detained or whose cameras and other equipment were seized or damaged while covering the protest to submit affidavits for filing before the Supreme Court.

The union said some journalists were detained during the protest and released only after signing bonds. It has already submitted a list of detained journalists and prominent figures from the media fraternity.

The union said it was collecting additional information and affidavits to strengthen the legal battle against the suppression of press freedom. Journalists who faced mistreatment by the police, as well as those with information about such incidents, have been asked to share the details.

Around 20 journalists who arrived to cover the protest were subjected to police brutality. Several were forcibly dragged into police vehicles despite showing their press identity cards. Journalists, including those from Keralam, also faced harassment.

The police allegedly assaulted journalists, detained them by force and seized their cameras and mobile phones.

The police excesses continued despite a Supreme Court order issued on October 11 directing that journalists should not be obstructed from performing their professional duties.