Delhi-based photojournalist Anushree Fadnavis, who has accused a Delhi Police inspector of molesting her, stated in her complaint that he groped her breast even after being told that she was with the media. A case was registered yesterday and a probe is on, according to a police statement as reported by PTI.
The Hindustan Times journalist was roughed up by the Delhi Police during the JNU padyatra protest on 23 March. Inspector Vidhyadhar Singh, SHO, Delhi Cantonment, was accused of molesting the journalist during a students’ march, and has been sent to the district lines, the police said.
Both of us at that point told Mr Singh that we are journalists and he backed off for two minutes. He then proceeded to come towards us again and hooked at my chest and placed his hand on my right breast and pushed me again.Fadnavis, in complaint
Fadnavis also alleged that when she, along with other media people, confronted Singh about the incident, he “denied (it) saying to my face that I was lying.”
The complainant said she was standing in a service lane near the site of a protest organised by students of Jawaharlal Nehru University along with a fellow journalist when the police started hitting the demonstrators with batons.
The police inspector had denied the allegations. The case was yesterday transferred to the Crime Branch for a thorough probe. A woman constable and a male head constable were suspended on Sunday for allegedly snatching the camera of a photojournalist during the protest.
Delhi Scribes Protest Manhandling of Journo, Sit Outside Police HQ
Scribes gathered in solidarity outside Delhi Police headquarters on 24 March, ANI reported. Keeping their cameras on ground as a mark of protest, the journalists had a heated argument with police outside the headquarters.
Delhi Police PRO Apologises For Manhandling Journo
In response to the manhandling of the photojournalist by police officials, the Delhi Police PRO apologised for the unfortunate incident, saying they “mistook the photojournalist for a protester” at a press briefing in Delhi.
The official said that the police used water cannons to stop the enraging protesters who broke barricades while marching in Sarojini Nagar. While the protesters were sided, the officials on duty “accidentally” caught hold of photojournalist Anushree Fadnavis.
The police PRO said the entire incident was a result of “misunderstanding” and after her identification, the additional deputy commissioner, South West, immediately relieved her from the officials.
Citing this as an “unfortunate incident,” he said that Delhi Police’s vigilance branch would investigate the woman journalist's complaint that she was molested.
Deependra Pathak, the Delhi Police CPRO had said the probe will be completed within the next 2 days.
The complaint by the journalist is being inquired by a dedicated team & will be completed within the next 2 days. After that the strictest action will be taken.Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police CPRO to ANI
The PRO also tweeted an apology on behalf of the Delhi Police fraternity in response to a Twitter user’s comment on his silence over the “brutal force” used by the police in the incident.
JNU Students, Teachers Take to Streets
A large number of JNU students and teachers were stopped on Friday, 23 March, from marching to the Parliament Complex over various demands, including academic freedom, with police resorting to lathicharge and use of water canons.
Anushree Fadnavis said she was on duty to cover the protest, and that her camera was taken away.
The journalist had alleged that she was "groped" by a Delhi Police inspector, and asked to vacate the place. She has lodged a complaint with the police.
The padyatra, which started at the varsity's campus, was organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) and the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA).
At the INA bus stop, we were stopped. They (the police) used water cannon on us. They lathi-charged us. We were detained and taken to the Defence Colony police station.Shubhanshu Singh, JNUSU, joint secretary
They were stopped at the Sanjay Jheel area in South Delhi.
The teachers’ body had requested other associations to join the protest march.
Their other demands include withdrawal of the executive council decision to constitute a committee to take action against teachers and the immediate withdrawal of notifications replacing chairpersons who were opposed to implementing compulsory attendance.
The JNUTA had earlier launched a three-day 'Satyagraha' inside the campus to raise these demands.
We will raise the issue in Parliament. Fight and studies should continue.JD (U) leader Ali Anwar Ansari said
CPI leader Brinda Karat had said, “The JNU vice-chancellor has become a chancellor of vices. A professor accused of sexual harassment has place in the varsity and being protected by the V-C.”
Others who had offered support to the the march were RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha and Congress’ Ashok Tanwar.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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