The Delhi Police has hit back at a misleading narrative being pushed on social media over the detention of protesters at Jantar Mantar. The police on Monday categorically rejected claims that female protesters were subjected to physical assault, calling such allegations “baseless and misleading” and stating that women protesters were handled by female personnel with dignity and in accordance with the law.
The clarification comes amid a controversy surrounding the October 3 protests at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators gathered despite prohibitory orders to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a post on X, the New Delhi district DCP said allegations of physical assault against female protesters did not reflect the actual sequence of events. The police maintained that female protesters were dealt with by female staff, while detentions and subsequent releases were carried out according to prescribed legal procedures.
OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION Some social media handles are claiming that female protesters were subjected to physical assault. These allegations are baseless and misleading. Female protesters are handled by female staff and are treated with dignity and due regard. Detentions and releases are carried out in accordance with the applicable law and prescribed procedures. Male protesters who were detained were released within the stipulated time period, following due process of law. Any claim suggesting otherwise is factually incorrect and does not reflect the actual sequence of events. #OfficialClarification #DPUpdates
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) October 5, 2026
The police also rejected claims concerning male protesters, stating that those detained were released within the stipulated period after due process. Any suggestion to the contrary, the DCP said, was “factually incorrect”.
Three women journalists allege misconduct, Crime Branch to investigate
However, the controversy is not entirely being dismissed by the police. Three women journalists who were present during the October 3 protest separately complained of alleged sexual misconduct and manhandling by police personnel while they were being detained.
Delhi Police said on Sunday that the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial” investigation. The complainants were also medically examined after raising their allegations.
A senior police officer said the protesters had been informed about the prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and were asked to leave the area. When they refused to comply, they were detained.
According to the officer, at around 6 pm, three women who identified themselves as journalists complained of being manhandled during the detention. Their complaints were accepted and subsequently forwarded to the Crime Branch.
The police have also appealed to anyone who recorded the alleged incidents to hand over the footage to investigators.
