A day after a Hindustan Times journalist was roughed up by the Delhi Police during the JNU padyatra protest on Friday, 23 March, Delhi Police PRO Madhur Verma has apologised for the unfortunate incident, saying they “mistook the photojournalist for a protester”.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Verma said the police used water cannons to stop the enraging protesters in Sarojini Nagar who broke barricades while marching. While the protesters were sided, the officials on duty “accidentally” caught hold of photojournalist Anushree Fadnavis.
He went on to say that the entire incident was a result of “misunderstanding” and after her identification, the additional deputy commissioner, South West, immediately took charge and let go of her.
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.
Fadnavis said she was on duty to cover the protest, and that her camera was taken away.
The journalist alleged that she was "groped" by a Delhi Police inspector, and was asked to vacate the place. She has lodged a complaint with the police.
The apology was not received well by many who said Fadnavis shouldn’t have been manhandled even if she was there as a protester.
This is one of the most stupid apologies that I have come across in recent times. I don’t understand what the Delhi police is apologising for. They should apologise to everyone for using force in such a brutal manner.Swati Maliwal, DCW Chairperson
Journalists Condemn Act
The police need to change their attitude. Such behavior has increased dramatically, recently. This is the second time in a week that such an incident has taken place.A protesting journalist
A day after a Delhi-based photojournalist was manhandled by police officials, journalists 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
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