‘Journalists must be allowed to work freely’: Press Club over Jantar Mantar police action

Delhi Police accused of misconduct with female journalist at Jantar Mantar.

NEW DELHI: The Press Club of India has condemned the Delhi Police’s alleged treatment of journalists and imposition of internet ban during protests at Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday and Saturday, saying such behaviour “cannot be normalised in a democracy”.In a statement, the Press Club said it was “shocked and dismayed” by the police action against journalists covering the protests and raised concerns over media freedom in the national capital.

“Journalists must be allowed to work freely, without fear, and document those who gather to raise various issues,” the Press Club said, adding that the restrictions on journalists even in the heart of Delhi “do not bode well for the trajectory of media freedom in India”.The Press Club also urged the Delhi Police to immediately act on a complaint filed by a female journalist and ensure that mediapersons are able to perform their duties without facing “aggression and threats”.Complaints trasferred to Crime Branch: PoliceEearlier in the day, Delhi Police said it had received complaints from three female journalists alleging sexual harassment during a protest in the New Delhi area on October 3. The complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch at Kamla Market for further action, police said.

Delhi Police X post reads, "On 03-10-26, during the protest in the New Delhi area, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists in the context of the emergent law and order situation. New Delhi District has received their complaints and the same are transferred to Crime Branch, Kamla Market for further action."Jantar Mantar is witnessing protests demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Around 150 people demanding Kumar's removal were detained in and around Jantar Mantar on Saturday as security forces prevented protesters from gathering at the site.Those detained included senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav and AISA national president Neha Bora.