NHRC takes suo motu action on alleged sexual harassment of women journalists by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar

The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of media reports that three women journalists were sexually harassed by Delhi Police personnel while covering a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 3 October 2026. Acting on its own initiative under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, rather than on a formal complaint, the Commission observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. According to the media report, the journalists' complaints were initially received by the New Delhi District Police and were later transferred to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch for enquiry.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, calling for a detailed report on the incident within two weeks. The Commission's intervention keeps alive scrutiny of alleged custodial and on-duty misconduct by police personnel, particularly against journalists and women exercising their right to peacefully assemble and report on protests in public spaces, and tests whether the internal departmental enquiry mechanism will independently and promptly examine the conduct of its own personnel.