CRPF officer seeks probe into alleged police assault on women protesters in Delhi

A serving Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW) and Delhi Police, seeking an impartial investigation into allegations that women protesters were physically mistreated by police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel during recent demonstrations in the national capital.

Assistant Commandant Rahul Solanki, currently posted in Manipur, submitted the complaint in his personal capacity as a concerned citizen, citing videos circulating on social media that allegedly show security personnel manhandling women protesters. He sought forensic examination of the footage, scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the incidents and appropriate legal and departmental action if misconduct is established.

The development comes amid growing scrutiny of police conduct during recent protests in Delhi, with the Supreme Court also seeking an explanation from a senior Delhi Police officer over allegations that women journalists were assaulted and detained while covering demonstrations.

𝗖𝗥𝗣𝗙 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In his complaint, Solanki attached links to three videos circulating on social media which, according to him, appeared to show Delhi Police and CAPF personnel physically mistreating women. However, he expressly acknowledged that he had not independently authenticated the recordings and urged the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions.

The officer requested that investigators examine the complete footage rather than isolated clips and verify whether the videos accurately represented the incidents. He said the inquiry should consider the surrounding circumstances and determine whether any security personnel had violated established procedures for handling women protesters.

Solanki also sought accountability at the supervisory level if the allegations were substantiated. His complaint called for appropriate legal and departmental proceedings against personnel and officers found responsible for misconduct. At the same time, he said that if the footage was found to have been fabricated or materially manipulated, action should be taken against those responsible for circulating misleading material.

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁

Apart from demanding an investigation, Solanki urged the authorities to issue appropriate directions to police and paramilitary personnel deployed for crowd-control duties, particularly when dealing with women participating in demonstrations. He called for greater emphasis on gender sensitivity training to ensure that security operations are conducted in accordance with established safeguards.

The assistant commandant clarified that his complaint was not intended to undermine the work of police or CAPF personnel. He acknowledged the difficult duties performed by security forces and maintained that his objective was to ensure that genuine instances of misconduct, if established, were addressed fairly.

The CRPF, which constitutes a major component of the central security forces deployed in Delhi, had not issued a response to the complaint at the time of reporting. There was also no immediate confirmation of whether the authorities approached by Solanki had initiated a formal inquiry.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The complaint coincides with judicial scrutiny of allegations that journalists, particularly women reporters, were subjected to physical force and detention while covering protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sought the personal presence of a senior Delhi Police officer before the Supreme Court on Thursday to explain allegations of assault and detention involving women journalists. The observation came after senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), seeking safeguards for journalists covering protests and other public gatherings.

The petition seeks directions to ensure that women journalists performing legitimate reporting duties are not subjected to intimidation, physical handling, arbitrary detention or forcible removal merely because they are present at protest sites. It also raises concerns about restrictions on journalists' access to demonstrations and the need for clear safeguards during crowd-control operations.

The Supreme Court agreed to consider the petition alongside pending matters concerning alleged police excesses and restrictions imposed during the demonstrations. Separate contempt petitions have also alleged that security personnel violated the court's earlier directions against harassment of journalists covering protests.

𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The recent demonstrations witnessed allegations of excessive force against protesters and media personnel. Videos circulating online appeared to show confrontations involving security personnel and women demonstrators, while one woman accused a Delhi Police officer of molestation. These allegations remain subject to verification and investigation.

Several journalists also alleged that they were detained or physically mistreated while covering the protests despite identifying themselves as members of the press. At least 12 journalists were reportedly detained during demonstrations on Sunday, with some claiming that they were forcibly moved into police vehicles or prevented from documenting police action.

In a separate incident, four men allegedly associated with a right-wing group were captured on video assaulting protesters. They were arrested on Sunday and subsequently released on bail within 24 hours.

The incidents have intensified concerns over the manner in which security forces handle public demonstrations, particularly the treatment of women and journalists exercising their professional responsibilities.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Supreme Court has already been examining allegations of mass detentions, restrictions on public movement and disruptions to transport services during the protests. A special bench hearing related matters had directed that peaceful and unarmed protesters should not be detained except in accordance with the procedure established by law.

The court had also called for the restoration of normal public transport, uninterrupted internet connectivity and freedom of movement, subject to lawful restrictions. Notices were issued in contempt proceedings alleging non-compliance with earlier judicial directions.

Solanki's complaint adds another dimension to the controversy because it comes from a serving officer of a central security force rather than a protest organisation or political party. By seeking verification of the evidence and accountability only where wrongdoing is established, the officer has called for an investigation that examines both the allegations against security personnel and the authenticity of the material circulated online.

The response of the NHRC, NCW and Delhi Police, together with the Supreme Court's examination of the allegations concerning journalists, will determine the next course of proceedings arising from the recent protests.