Two Muslim women journalists on Thursday alleged that they were beaten by Delhi police personnel in South Delhi’s Saket police station. The two journalists said that a police team detained them and took them to the Saket police station, where they were assaulted.The journalists were on assignment to cover an event attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, following which the assault occurred, the journalists alleged.
The journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafessa Khan alleged that they were dragged by their hair upstairs and were met with brutish assault for approximately 40 mins.
“They dragged us upstairs by our hair and brutally assaulted us there. When they became exhausted from beating us, they stopped to take a break.” Journalist Shaheen Khan told FoEJ Media.
Both the journalists further claimed that on learning about their Muslim identity, the assault was intensified.
“When they found out that we were Muslims, she said, ‘You’re Muslim? Now I’ll beat you even more'” Shaheen said.
“She told me, ‘You’re Muslim? I’ll hit you three or four more times.’ She then struck me so hard with a lathi that the injury is still swollen.” Nafeesa added, showing her bruises to FoEJ Media.
Revealing the start of the assault, Shaheen said, “I was standing downstairs, speaking to my family over the phone and informing them about what had happened. Meanwhile, a female police officer approached me and demanded that I hand over my phone. When I told her, ‘Please tell me what happened; whatever you need to discuss, we can discuss it here,’ she replied, ‘I have a different way of talking. We’ll talk upstairs.’”
“Listen to the language she used. She said, ‘I have a different way of talking. I’ll speak to you upstairs.'” Shaheen highlighted.
“She snatched my phone and started slapping me,” she added.
Both the journalists further alleged that they were refused to have water even when they were falling to grasp the air due to the continuous assault.
“When we asked, ‘Ma’am, please give us some water,’ she replied, ‘We will beat you thirsty,'” Shaheen alleged.
“Nafeesa’s condition deteriorated, and she collapsed unconscious. I told them that she needed medical attention, but no one paid any heed,” she added.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the inauguration of Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket.
The journalist said that they had gone to cover the event; however, they were stopped by police and taken to Saket police station, where the assault was launched.
In an official statement, DCP (South) Anant Mittal described the allegations as “factually incorrect and misleading.”
“Claims suggesting otherwise, including allegations of assault for asking questions to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, are totally false, misleading, and baseless. Citizens and social media users are advised to refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information,” read the statement.
The police said that despite multiple requests and instructions to remove the vehicles and clear the route, they refused to remove them. Following the security and safety protocol of the VVIP route, both the journalists were taken to the local police station for the inquiry, the police said, and the Hindustan Times highlighted.
“In recent days, 4pm has been consistently raising serious questions and publishing reports on matters related to the Delhi government and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. In such a context, it is natural to wonder whether today’s action is connected to those reports and questions in any way.” said Sanjay Sharma, the editor-in-chief of 4pm News Network.
“Since when has asking questions of the Chief Minister become a crime? Since when has a journalist’s question become so dangerous for those in power? And can a journalist having ‘Khan’ in their name become a reason for assaulting them?” he posted on X.
In a statement, the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Working Journalists condemned the assault and have “called for punitive action against Delhi Police officials…for brutally assaulting [the two] freelance journalists.”
The incident was also condemned by the political leaders. Congress posted the video on X, while members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have condemned the alleged use of force against journalists and accused the government of failing to protect press freedom. Indian Youth Congress leader Darshan Kaushik speaking to FoEJ Media said, “It is extremely shameful that two girls were subjected to brutality after being asked about their religion. Even today, if they have to prove their loyalty to the country and the public, it is highly shameful.”
Protests and sit-ins have also occurred outside the Saket police station, with demonstrators demanding that an FIR be registered against the police personnel allegedly involved.
