Delhi Union Of Journalists Approaches SC Over Alleged Police Violence And Assault Of Journalists Covering Delhi Protests

The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court alleging that journalists were detained, manhandled and obstructed from working while covering protests in the national capital that took place on October 10 and 11.

DUJ approached SC alleging that journalists were detained and obstructed from working while covering protests in Delhi. (Image: Representative Image/PTI)

According to the union, the reporters were forcibly moved away from the sites, stopped from filming, and in some cases, subjected to physical force. In addition to this, the writ petition also highlighted allegations that phones, cameras and microphones were also taken from media persons. It was also mentioned that the women journalists were subjected to invasive searches and misbehaviour.

The petition has been filed on behalf of its members and other affected journalists, news agency PTI reported.

The petition relied on a signed statement by senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, who was detained on October 10 even after showing his Press Information Bureau (PIB) accreditation card. He also alleged that he was given neither the grounds of detention nor any papers.

The plea mentions the Delhi Police advisory of October 5, which the union alleged was invoked to stop people without government accreditation or an employer-issued press card from reporting.

Highlighting the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), the petitioner claimed that the right belongs to every citizen of the country and does not hinge on employment with a news organisation. Independent journalists, freelancers and those who report news on platforms such as YouTube are equally protected, subject to reasonable and proportionate restrictions, it said.

The union further referred to the apex court’s October 11 order, which said journalists and other professionals should not be hindered in discharging their duties. It has further cited a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the alleged sexual harassment of three women journalists during an earlier protest on October 3.

The DUJ has sought protection for lawful reporting irrespective of accreditation, a time-bound independent inquiry, immediate preservation of evidence and the return of equipment allegedly retained by authorities.

In addition to the DUJ, the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) also filed a writ petition through senior advocate Indira Jaising seeking binding safety guidelines and protection for women journalists.

The Free Speech Collective (FSC) too filed a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of the apex court’s earlier orders protecting media freedom.

Mahima Joshi works as a Chief Copy Editor at Times Now and is part of the … Mahima Joshi works as a Chief Copy Editor at Times Now and is part of the India and Breaking Desk. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and aims to dig out angles that haven't been explored before. Mahima is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi and has an experience of over five years in the media industry. View MoreView Less