Journalist files complaint against Rahul Gandhi, seeks FIR over alleged pushing

A journalist who accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing her during a protest outside the Supreme Court has filed a police complaint seeking the registration of an FIR against the Leader of the Opposition and others.

Richa Parashar, who works for news website Oneindia, submitted the complaint to the deputy commissioner of police of the New Delhi district on Friday. She alleged that she was mistreated, threatened and subjected to physical force during the INDIA bloc's march on Monday.

Parashar has said she is three months pregnant and claimed that Gandhi grabbed her hand and pulled her forcefully before his security personnel pushed her away, causing her to fall on the Supreme Court steps.

Journalist seeks FIR, alleges assault

The incident reportedly took place when opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Parashar had said she was waiting near a gate inside the Supreme Court premises to get a soundbite from Gandhi when the alleged incident occurred.

"I was inside the Supreme Court premises, positioned right by a gate, waiting for him to exit so I could get a soundbite, specifically from Rahul Gandhi... Before I could fully process what was happening, Rahul Gandhi moved forward with a very unpleasant expression. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and yanked me forward. He pulled me so hard, and then - it all happened so fast - his bodyguards shoved me away. I fell face-first onto the Supreme Court steps," she had said from a hospital bed.

The complaint cites provisions relating to assault or criminal force intended to outrage a woman's modesty, voluntarily causing hurt, and rash or negligent acts endangering human life or personal safety.

After filing the complaint, Parashar released a video thanking those who had supported her. She said she would continue to stand by her account despite alleged threats and online trolling.

"I have submitted a criminal complaint and I have full faith that the law will do its work and an impartial investigation will be conducted. Because this fight is not mine alone. This is the fight of every woman. It is the fight of every journalist and for their dignity," she said.

Congress disputes journalist's allegations

The Congress had questioned Parashar's account, arguing that the video she shared did not establish the sequence of events she described.

Congress leader Alka Lamba also raised questions about the timeline of the alleged incident, Parashar's hospital visit and the medical examination she underwent.

"Protest during pregnancy carries risk. They say Rahul Gandhi pushed her at 3-4 pm and then they say she went to hospital at 8.30 pm. Her sister reached the BJP MLA's office to manufacture propaganda. She underwent an X-ray which is usually not done during pregnancy," Lamba said in a post on X.

The BJP, meanwhile, used the allegations to target Gandhi and the Congress. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticised the Congress over its response to the controversy.

"Rahul Gandhi, who speaks of 'smashing the patriarchy,' behaved like a goon. The women of this country should see the true face of the Congress party and the reality behind Priyanka Vadra's slogan of 'ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon' (I am a girl, I can fight)," Bhandari said.