The Supreme Court today told the Delhi Police not to take coercive action against a journalist who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a police officer during the recent protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the SIR issue.
The Supreme Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into the journalist’s allegations in a time-bound manner
Earlier today, the Delhi High Court declined an urgent hearing to the journalist who sought protection from coercive action in the case filed by the Delhi Police officer over allegations of making casteist remarks and subjecting him to public humiliation. The Supreme Court took note of the matter and ordered the police to complete the investigation into the journalist’s allegations in a timebound manner. After that, the Supreme Court observed some journalists were accredited while some were associated with organisations.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the allegations made by the journalist against the police officer were serious, and the court is checking whether an independent investigation is needed in the first place. He said the journalist should cooperate with the probe and she would not be arrested. Mehta, appearing for the police, told the Supreme Court that many people call themselves freelance journalists just by carrying a mic but only make reels for social media.
The government’s lawyer Tushar Mehta replied that they will look into the matter and place their findings before the Supreme Court.
