The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday accused Delhi Police of brutally assaulting Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas during the ongoing protests in the capital, alleging that he was later left by the roadside in an injured and distressed condition.
The party shared a video on X showing Brittas sitting near a Delhi Police bus, with another person helping him as he struggled to get up. A police officer was also seen assisting the MP as he walked towards an autorickshaw.
“Delhi Police has crossed all limits,” the CPM said in its post, alleging that Brittas had been attacked and abandoned by the roadside.
The circumstances surrounding the MP’s injuries, including where and how he was hurt, remained unclear on Sunday.
Brittas detained during second day of protests
Brittas was among several protesters detained by security personnel on Sunday as they marched towards Jantar Mantar from Connaught Place’s Inner Circle and Rajiv Chowk. The demonstration, called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), entered its second day amid heightened security across the capital.
The Rajya Sabha MP had also been detained on Saturday, when police detained nearly 7,000 people during the first day of the protests. The demonstration was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Several political leaders were among those detained during the crackdown, including four former chief ministers.
AAP alleges Kejriwal was manhandled
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also accused Delhi Police of manhandling its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal during his detention on Saturday.
Kejriwal, who served two terms as Delhi chief minister, was reportedly taken to Jafarpur Kalan police station, where he remained in detention for nearly six hours.
The allegations against the police came amid continuing protests over the Election Commission and demands for accountability over alleged voter-roll irregularities. The CPM’s claims regarding Brittas’s injuries and the AAP’s allegations concerning Kejriwal had not been independently established in the information available.