The Supreme Court has indicated that it may establish a committee to examine allegations of sexual harassment, assault and intimidation involving women journalists who covered protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, questioned how reporters could be identified when many people at demonstrations carry microphones or mobile phones and record material for online reels. He said it was difficult to distinguish an independent journalist from someone creating short-form content.
The remarks came during a hearing on senior advocate Indira Jaising's petition seeking protection for journalists. The petition concerns protests held on Delhi's streets on 10 October and afterwards, including demonstrations by the Campaign for Justice and Peace and opposition parties. Allegations were made that Delhi Police mistreated women journalists covering those events.
Mehta also said that there was agreement that no woman, including a woman police employee, should be treated badly. His submission placed the question of journalist identification alongside the wider issue of safety for women working at public demonstrations.
Possible inquiry committee
Chief Justice of India Suryakant said the allegations were serious. He indicated that a proposed committee could include mostly former women judges and retired Indian Police Service officers.
The court's indication does not itself establish the allegations. It shows that the bench is considering an examination of the claims raised in the proceedings.
The case was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohina had earlier directed a senior Delhi Police officer to appear on 15 October while the court considered allegations involving women journalists reporting from protests.
That earlier direction followed a petition filed by the Network of Women in Media, India. The petition sought safety measures for journalists covering demonstrations and public events. The bench said it wanted a senior officer present to assist the court or provide clarification.
Protection order for woman journalist
In a related part of the proceedings, the Supreme Court granted protection to a woman journalist in a case filed under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act by Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner Vivek Bhagat.
The woman journalist had accused Bhagat of sexual harassment during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Bhagat subsequently filed a case against her under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act. The protection order was issued by the bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant in that matter.
The proceedings therefore cover two connected concerns: the alleged treatment of women journalists during protests and the difficulty of identifying who should receive protection as a journalist at crowded public events.
What happens next
The court may decide whether to constitute the proposed committee and determine its composition. The proceedings also include the earlier request for journalist safety measures and the court's direction that a senior Delhi Police officer remain available to assist it.
The source material does not provide a final finding on the allegations or a final decision on the proposed committee.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court is considering a committee over allegations concerning women journalists at Delhi protests, while it has already granted protection to one woman journalist in a case filed under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What issue was before the Supreme Court?
The court heard a petition seeking protection for journalists covering protests and considered allegations involving women journalists in Delhi.
Q. What did Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argue?
He questioned how independent journalists could be distinguished from content creators recording material for online reels at demonstrations.
Q. Could the court create a committee?
Yes. Chief Justice Suryakant indicated that the court may form a committee, potentially including former women judges and retired Indian Police Service officers.
Q. Who filed the petition seeking journalist protection?
Senior advocate Indira Jaising's petition sought protection for journalists. The Network of Women in Media, India also filed a petition seeking safety measures for journalists covering public events.
Q. What protection did the court grant?
The Supreme Court granted protection to a woman journalist in a case filed under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act by Assistant Commissioner Vivek Bhagat.
Q. When were the protests mentioned in the proceedings held?
The source identifies protests on 10 October and further demonstrations afterwards.
Q. Did the court make a final finding on the allegations?
No final finding or final decision on the proposed committee is provided in the source material.
