Delhi Police, under the direction of DCP Sachin Sharma, dismissed claims that female demonstrators were physically assaulted during the latest Jantar Mantar protests. In a statement posted on X, Sharma called the allegations "baseless and misleading" and insisted that all detentions and releases followed prescribed legal procedures.
The demonstrations, which have escalated over the past days, were sparked by student groups, political parties and activists demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise. The crowd, which swelled to several hundred, attempted to breach the security perimeter surrounding Jantar Mantar, prompting a heavy deployment of police forces.
According to Sharma, female protesters were taken into custody by female officers and treated with dignity, a claim that stands in contrast to social media videos that purported to show physical aggression. He added that male protesters, who were detained, were released within the time limits mandated by law. The police maintain that all actions were carried out under the purview of applicable statutes.
Earlier, the All India Students' Association (AISA) alleged that its national president, Neha Bora, was seized during a march and transported to a police station in Narela Industrial Area in a vehicle lacking an official number plate, and that no woman officer accompanied the transport. Delhi Police have rebuffed these allegations, stating that the vehicle was accompanied by a female officer and that the detention adhered to standard protocol.
A senior officer from the force also reported that a few protesters had bitten police personnel during the clash, but the department has clarified that no female officers were harmed. The police statement concludes with a pledge to review the incident internally and to continue enforcing lawful protest conduct.
The department has announced that an internal review of the incident will be conducted, and that it will remain vigilant in monitoring the protest activity to ensure public safety and legal compliance. Delhi Police have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media while they investigate the matter further.
The next phase involves a procedural audit of the handling of the protest, with a report expected by the end of the month. The police also plan to coordinate with the Election Commission to address any concerns raised by the demonstrators.
The Delhi Police's swift response comes as the city prepares for increased security measures ahead of the upcoming general elections, with officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining order while respecting citizens' right to protest.