Supreme Court: Delhi Police Harassment of Women Journalists Plea

• A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging sexual harassment and manhandling of women journalists by Delhi Police during protests.
• The Network of Women in Media, India, filed the petition, seeking safeguards against assault, intimidation, and arbitrary detention.
• Senior advocate Indira Jaising is representing the petitioners, specifically highlighting sexual harassment claims.
• The Supreme Court bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, agreed to list the petition on October 15 alongside other protest-related cases.
• CJI Kant has requested a senior police officer to be present at the hearing to assist or explain the situation.

A key demand within the plea is the establishment of enforceable guidelines that would govern how police interact with journalists during protests and public gatherings, thereby seeking to formalize and standardize respectful and lawful engagement.

A formal petition has been lodged with the Supreme Court of India, bringing to light serious allegations of misconduct by Delhi Police personnel against women journalists. The plea specifically details instances where female reporters, while engaged in their professional duties covering protests in the nation's capital, were allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and physical manhandling. This significant development has prompted the apex court to take immediate notice of the matter.

TheThe Supreme Court, presided over by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana, has acknowledged the gravity of the accusations. The bench has decided to schedule the hearing for this petition on Thursday, October 15. Crucially, this particular plea will be heard concurrently with other related cases that have emerged from the ongoing protests, indicating a broader judicial review of issues stemming from these public demonstrations.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising is representing the petitioners in this critical legal challenge. During her submission to the Court, Ms. Jaising underscored that the petition's primary focus is on the alleged sexual harassment faced by women journalists during their coverage of protests. She specifically requested that this matter be consolidated with other protest-related petitions already slated for hearing, a request the bench subsequently granted. Furthermore, Ms. Jaising informed the judicial panel that she had proactively served advance notice of the plea to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, ensuring the government's legal representative was apprised of the proceedings.

The petition itself was initiated by the Network of Women in Media, India, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and safety of journalists. Their filing seeks comprehensive safeguards for media professionals covering public demonstrations, aiming to protect them from various forms of harm. These requested protections include explicit measures against alleged assault, intimidation, and arbitrary detention by law enforcement. A key demand within the plea is the establishment of enforceable guidelines that would govern how police interact with journalists during protests and public gatherings, thereby seeking to formalize and standardize respectful and lawful engagement.

Responding to the compelling arguments presented, Chief Justice Kant issued a direct instruction regarding the upcoming hearing. He stated, "I would like some senior officer to be present here to assist us or to explain." This directive signals the Court's intent to gain a direct understanding from a high-ranking police official regarding the alleged incidents and the operational protocols in place during protests. The presence of a senior officer is expected to provide crucial insights and accountability regarding the conduct of Delhi Police personnel.

This Supreme Court intervention carries significant weight for the safety and operational freedom of journalists in India, particularly women covering potentially volatile public events. The call for enforceable guidelines for police interaction with the press, coupled with the specific allegations of sexual harassment, highlights a pressing need for clearer protocols and greater accountability. The Court's decision to hear this alongside other protest-related cases suggests a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by citizens and media alike during public demonstrations, potentially setting important precedents for police conduct and journalistic protections moving forward.

Lawyers representing media organizations or individual journalists should closely monitor this Supreme Court proceeding, as it could lead to new enforceable guidelines for police interaction with journalists during protests, potentially strengthening protections against assault, intimidation, and arbitrary detention. This development may establish important precedents for police accountability and the rights of journalists covering public demonstrations in India.

Source: Reporting based on initial court filings.