The NHRC issued a notice to Delhi Police Commissioner R. S. Sharma on Thursday, demanding a forensic account of the alleged harassment that took place at Jantar Mantar on Oct. 3, 2026.
The complaint, first logged by the New Delhi District Police on Oct. 5, was forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation, but no findings have yet been made public.
Three female journalists—whose identities are withheld for safety—were said to have been subjected to unwanted advances and verbal slurs by several officers while covering the protest. One of them, 35‑year‑old Asha Mehta, told a local news outlet that the officers “threatened to arrest her if she didn’t drop the microphone.”
The NHRC chairperson, Ms. Anuradha Joshi, stated that the allegations “raise serious concerns about the protection of press freedom and the right to personal safety.” She added that the commission would monitor compliance with the report deadline.
Commissioner Sharma responded that the police department would cooperate fully, noting that “no officer has been formally charged yet and the inquiry will proceed under the Crime Branch’s guidance.” He also mentioned that an internal review is already underway to prevent future incidents.
As the investigation moves forward, the NHRC has pledged to review the final report by the end of the month and, if necessary, recommend disciplinary action against those found culpable.
The case has drawn attention from journalists’ unions, who warn that unchecked harassment could erode the press’s ability to report freely on public affairs. They are calling for stronger safeguards for reporters on the ground.