New Delhi : The Supreme Court has directed a senior Delhi Police official to appear and respond regarding the alleged assault on female journalists while they were covering protests in Delhi. The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) has demanded measures to ensure the safety of journalists and independent reporting. A separate petition alleges that the police violated the Supreme Court’s order dated October 10.

The issue of the alleged assault on female journalists during the coverage of recent protests in Delhi has reached the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Chief Justice Surya Kant directed a senior Delhi Police official to appear in person and provide a clarification regarding the allegations. The court has scheduled the hearing for Thursday.

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising drew the attention of Chief Justice Surya Kant to the petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI). The petition seeks necessary arrangements for the safety of journalists—particularly women—covering the protests. Responding to this, the CJI stated, “We would like a senior official to be present here and explain the matter.” He added that the police must respond to these allegations. Jaising informed the court that the Solicitor General had already been apprised of the matter.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan also referred to a contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the ‘Freedom Speech Collective’. The petition alleges that the police violated the Supreme Court’s October 10 order by assaulting journalists; that order had directed that media personnel covering protests should not be harassed. Senior Advocate Chander Uday Singh also mentioned another similar petition. These petitions raise the issue of alleged police action against journalists at protest sites.

The NWMI has sought a directive from the Central Government ensuring that female journalists engaged in bona fide news gathering or reporting are not subjected to mistreatment simply for being present during protests, public meetings, crowd control operations, or significant public events. The petition seeks protection against actions such as physical harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and forcible removal. The Supreme Court is now scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.

Report : Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)

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