Many journalists bodies including Press Club of India strongly condemn DP officials for brutally assaulting two freelance journalists
The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Working Journalist strongly condemned and call for punitive action against Delhi Police officials posted at the Saket Police Station, including the Station House Officer (SHO), for brutally assaulting freelance journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan while they were reporting about the inauguration of a new wing at the Max Hospital in Saket by Home Minister, Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta.
The two journalists were first manhandled at the spot by a group of Delhi Police personnel from the Saket Police Station, and then they were dragged into a police vehicle and taken to the Saket Police Station.
Upon reaching the police station, the SHO allegedly instructed police officials to take the two journalists to a room, where women officers also joined, and started beating Shaheen and Nafisa.
The police officials then determined their religious identity and escalated their attacks, reportedly hurling religion-specific abuses at the two.
They were also threatened with the registration of FIRs.
As per the videos circulating on social media, the two journalists suffered multiple bruises and welts on their bodies.
The Press Club of India along with the undersigned organisations strongly urge Commissioner, Delhi Police, Mr. Anurag Kumar, to launch a free and fair investigation against the police officials who were involved in the assault against the two journalists.
We call upon the Press Council of India to take suo moto cognisance of this matter and launch an independent investigation against the police officials who violently tried to suppress press freedom.
The statement was signed by the President of Press Club of India Sageeta Baruah Pishroty and secretary general Afzal Imam on behalf of PCI and other media organisations.
