New Delhi: Serious allegations of police brutality and misconduct against female students and women protesters have emerged from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march held on July 20, from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament.
A female student has alleged that police personnel called her a “prostitute,” threatened to strip and beat her inside a police station, another girl was assaulted so severely that her ear started bleeding. Several other protesters have claimed that male police personnel slapped women, pulled their hair, tore their clothes (with some comparing the scenes to the disrobing of Draupadi), used abusive language, and resorted to physical force during the lathi charge and dispersal.
Videos circulating on social media show Additional DCP (North-East) Sandeep Lamba allegedly slapping a woman protester. Following the viral video, he was removed from duty at the protest site and sent back to his original posting. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has further alleged that the same officer had earlier pulled the hair of Geetanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
In petitions filed before the Delhi High Court, lawyers representing the protesters have claimed that women were molested, attacked on private parts, and that some personnel in plain clothes without nameplates used batons (allegedly with nails in some cases). The petitioners said they have over 110 videos to support their claims. Delhi Police has maintained that the force used was necessary as protesters resorted to stone-pelting and several policemen were injured.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of reports regarding a 12-year-old girl who allegedly sustained head injuries and ordered an inquiry. However, the Delhi Commission for Women (which has been without a chairperson for a long time) and the National Commission for Women have so far remained silent on the specific allegations of assault, verbal abuse, and misconduct against female students and women protesters.
Protesters and rights groups are now asking: Where are the Women’s Commission and Human Rights Commission? Will they act on these serious allegations of violence against women at a student protest, or continue to remain silent?
The matter is currently before the courts, with the Delhi High Court having issued notices and directed the preservation of CCTV and other footage. Independent verification of all claims is ongoing.