A confrontation involving two women journalists and the Delhi Police has triggered a fresh debate over press freedom, after the journalists alleged that they were detained and assaulted at a police station following questions directed at Chief Minister Rekha Gupta over an alleged “cycle scam”.
Freelance journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, who were reportedly working for digital news platform and YouTube channel 4PM News Network, claimed that they were taken to the Saket police station on Thursday and beaten by police personnel.
The Delhi Police has rejected the allegations, calling the claims “factually incorrect” and “misleading”.
Journalists Say They Were Stopped While Questioning CM
According to the journalists, they were covering a public programme in South Delhi attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The women claimed they were trying to ask Gupta questions concerning an alleged cycle scam when police personnel intervened and stopped them.
They further alleged that they were subsequently taken to the Saket police station.
The allegations became widely discussed on social media after videos surfaced showing the two journalists displaying injury marks on different parts of their bodies.
However, the claims of physical assault and alleged religion-based targeting have not been independently verified.
‘We Were Taken Into A Closed Room’
The journalists have alleged that the situation escalated after they were taken inside a closed room at the police station.
According to their account, a woman police officer wearing civilian clothes allegedly slapped them and struck them with sticks.
They also claimed that police personnel questioned them about their religious identity and that the alleged assault occurred after they identified themselves as Muslims.
A lawyer representing the journalists has reportedly filed a complaint concerning the alleged assault.
Delhi Police Gives Completely Different Account
Delhi Police has strongly disputed the version presented by the journalists.
Police officials said the women were not detained because they attempted to question political leaders.
Instead, according to the police version, the journalists were removed from the area after their scooter allegedly obstructed a designated VVIP security route.
Police further claimed that the women repeatedly refused to follow security instructions and were not carrying identification cards at the time.
The force has therefore rejected the allegations of assault and religious targeting, describing them as misleading.
Political Reaction Puts Pressure on Delhi Police
The allegations have also drawn political reactions, with leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemning the reported treatment of the journalists and raising concerns about press freedom.
The Congress also criticised the alleged conduct of the police and demanded action against those responsible.
In a post on X, the Congress said: “Such treatment of a journalist is absolutely unacceptable, and strict action must be taken against the guilty policemen. However, the chances of that are slim, because, in the BJP government, asking questions has become a crime.”
The contrasting accounts have now put the focus on what happened between the journalists, security personnel and police before and after they were taken to the Saket police station.
Allegations Await Verification
At the centre of the controversy are two sharply different narratives.
The journalists maintain that they were targeted after attempting to question the Delhi Chief Minister and subsequently assaulted inside the police station. Delhi Police, meanwhile, says the action was related to VVIP security arrangements and non-compliance with instructions.
With a complaint reportedly filed by the journalists’ lawyer and the allegations gaining attention online, further investigation could determine what exactly happened at the Saket police station and whether the claims of assault are substantiated.
