Shashi Tharoor denounces police assault on women demonstrators in Delhi

In a social-media post, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described the police’s handling of women protesters in Delhi as “utterly shameful,” noting that women opposing violence were themselves victimised. The protest, announced by student activist Neha Bora, called for a march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar on Sunday, October 4, targeting the Delhi Police and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. On October 3, three women journalists reported being sexually harassed by police officers while covering a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that an assistant commissioner, Vivek Bhagat, assaulted one of them.

Their complaints have been forwarded to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry.” The Delhi Police confirmed receipt of the complaints and said the investigation will be handled by the Crime Branch at Kamla Market. Opposition figures, including AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, have staged protests demanding an FIR, while the Committee to Protect Journalists plans its own demonstration.