Malayali Students Assaulted Near Delhi Red Fort by Police, Locals

New Delhi: In the Red Fort area, Malayali students were brutally assaulted by both police and local residents. The victims, first- year Political Science students at Zakir Husain College, Delhi University, were IT Ashwanth (18) from Kozhikode and K Sudhin (18) from Kasaragod. They were attacked on allegations of theft.

A local street vendor, noticing the students’ language and attire, accused Ashwanth of stealing an iPhone he was carrying, which sparked a commotion. Nearby residents joined in and physically assaulted the students.

Although a police officer was present, the students said he also participated in the assault alongside the attackers. The officer reportedly took the phone from the students and handed it to the assailants. Ashwanth managed to retrieve the phone and ran to a nearby police aid post, but there, a police officer named Satyaprakash allegedly kicked him and struck him with a baton.

The assault continued for approximately two and a half hours. The students were beaten for not speaking Hindi and were told that they could be released if they paid a bribe of 20,000 rupees and admitted to theft.

Upon learning of the incident, SFI Delhi State President Suraj Ilamon and others rushed to the police aid post and helped secure the students’ release. All India President Adarsh M. Saji spoke with the students and assured them that further action would be taken. The students confirmed that they have lodged complaints with the DGP and the Human Rights Commission and will pursue legal action.

CPI M Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas demanded that the Delhi Police Commissioner take strict action in the matter, and MP V Shivadasan wrote to the Union Home Minister regarding the incident.