Two women journalists claim Delhi police beat them after questioning Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
Journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan say they were detained and assaulted by Delhi police at Saket station after trying to ask Chief Minister Rekha Gupta a question.
During a public event attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, journalist Shaheen Khan says police intercepted her while she attempted to pose a question and escorted her, along with colleague Nafisa Khan, to Saket Police Station. At the station, the two women were reportedly beaten, with Shaheen claiming the assault intensified after officers heard her surname and identified her as Muslim. Video footage posted by 4PM News Network shows Shaheen describing the abuse and displaying injuries on Nafisa.
Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress expressed outrage, urging the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to intervene and demanding accountability. A coalition of press organisations, including the Press Club of India and the Delhi Union of Journalists, called for disciplinary action against the involved officers and a transparent investigation by Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.
Why it matters
The alleged police assault raises concerns about press freedom and potential religious bias in law-enforcement actions.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage stresses the journalists' allegations of police beating, the alleged religious motive and political outrage, while centrist coverage highlights the police’s denial and labels the claims as “factually incorrect” and “misleading”.
LEFT
Frames the incident as a police assault on two women journalists, emphasizing alleged Muslim-targeted abuse and condemnation from opposition parties.
CENTER
Frames the incident as a contested claim, foregrounding the police’s denial and describing the allegations as potentially misleading.
The left emphasises
- journalists say they were beaten after being taken to Saket police station
- alleged assault intensified after officers heard the journalist’s surname and identified her as Muslim
- Aam Aadmi Party and Congress leaders expressed outrage and called for accountability
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