FIR filed after police attack on Muslim women journalists
Two female journalists associated with a digital news platform allege physical assault by police officers at the station.
Two female journalists associated with a digital news platform, 4 PM, have alleged that the Delhi Police assaulted them and took them into custody near an event venue in Saket, South Delhi. Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, was present at the event. The female journalists stated that,
"The Delhi Police assaulted us for asking questions to CM Rekha Gupta."
The police have denied these allegations. They stated that the journalists had parked their scooter on a designated route for VVIP movement, obstructing the exit. There was also an altercation with the police personnel present, after which they were taken into custody.
As of late Thursday evening, no case had been registered in this matter. After a night of protests and pressure from the journalists at the police station, an FIR was filed. According to the police, senior officials were in contact with both women. This incident occurred on Thursday morning when Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the inauguration ceremony of Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital in Saket.
Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafeesa Khan alleged that they were stopped by the police while they were there to cover the event and were taken to the Saket police station.
In a video released, Shaheen alleged that police personnel physically assaulted them at the station. She also claimed that they were targeted because of their Muslim names and religious identity. The video showed injuries and marks resembling those from sticks on both women's bodies. The journalists claimed that these marks were a result of police beating.
The Congress party also shared this video on its X handle.
Ashok Kumar Pandey, Chief Editor of The Credible News, described the incident of assault on female journalists by the Delhi Police as a cowardly act.
He stated in an X post that,
"Delhi Police should investigate the police brutality against 4 PM journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafeesa Khan and take strict action against the culprits."
The Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Working Journalists issued a joint statement condemning the incident. The organizations demanded punitive action against the Delhi Police officials who brutally assaulted both independent journalists.
The video shows Nafeesa sitting on a sofa, with a third woman present assisting her. The cameraman is not visible in Khan's recording.
Victim journalist Shaheen Khan stated that,
"They dragged me to the police station just because I asked a question to the Chief Minister and Home Minister. I alleged that when I told them my name, the police linked it to my religious identity and beat me even more."
While recording her report at the Saket police station, Khan's camera also captured a police officer and two others. In the video, her face appears red, and she seems to be on the verge of tears. Looking at the police officer in front of the camera, she said,
"After mentally and physically torturing me, they asked for my name. I told them I am Khan and that 'Khan' is in my name. Because of this, the Delhi Police officials assaulted us, hitting us with sticks and slaps."
During this, a police officer sitting at the help desk said something that is not clearly audible in the video. In response, Khan looked at the camera and said, “There will be action—absolutely there will be action.” She added,
"The kind of hatred shown towards us today in the name of being Muslim, the Delhi Police will have to answer for it."
After this, Shaheen and the cameraman went to another room where some sofas were placed. Nafeesa was seen groaning in pain and was almost unconscious. There were some other people present in the waiting area. Photos that surfaced on social media showed Nafeesa being carried out of the police station by acquaintances, as she was reportedly unable to walk. Some videos of Shaheen also circulated online, showing her lying unconscious on the floor of the police station.
The Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Working Journalists condemned the assault that took place on the afternoon of September 3 in a joint statement. The statement said that according to the journalists, after asking questions to both leaders, the police not only assaulted them but also dragged them, and the alleged assault intensified after their religious identity was revealed.
The statement said,
"After entering the police station, the Station House Officer (SHO) instructed police officials to take both journalists into a room. There, female police personnel also joined in and began to beat Shaheen and Nafeesa."
According to the statement,
"Both journalists were threatened with filing an FIR and were subjected to derogatory and hateful comments targeting their religious identity." Journalist organizations demanded that Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar conduct a fair and independent investigation against the police officials involved in the alleged attack on both journalists.
The organizations also appealed to the Press Council of India to take cognizance of the matter and initiate an independent investigation against the officials who allegedly suppressed press freedom violently.
DCP of South Delhi, Anant Mittal, in an official statement, described the allegations as “factually incorrect and misleading.” He stated that both women had parked their scooter on the designated VVIP route near the event venue, obstructing the path. Despite repeated requests and instructions to remove the vehicle and clear the route, they did not comply.
Both journalists have reported that their FIR was registered this morning.