The Supreme Court today told the Delhi Police not to take coercive action against a journalist who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a police officer during the recent protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the SIR issue.
The Supreme Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into the journalist’s allegations in a time-bound manner
After the protest seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi, the journalist had filed a sexual assault complaint against the Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat. The Delhi Police Crime Branch is handling the case. Days later, the police also filed a first information report (FIR) against the ‘independent’ journalist and others on a complaint filed by Bhagat, who alleged he was subjected to casteist remarks, public humiliation and defamation during the protest.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the allegations made by the journalist against the police officer were serious, and the court is checking whether an independent investigation is needed in the first place. He said the journalist should cooperate with the probe and she would not be arrested. Mehta, appearing for the police, told the Supreme Court that many people call themselves freelance journalists just by carrying a mic but only make reels for social media.
The government’s lawyer Tushar Mehta replied that they will look into the matter and place their findings before the Supreme Court.
