The Punjab assembly’s press gallery committee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner against the alleged detention of journalists by Delhi Police in the national capital.
Five journalists, including a member of the press gallery committee, were illegally detained and kept overnight at the Tughlaq Police Station, the committee said in its letter, according to media reports.
“Around two dozen journalists from Punjab were officially covering the Delhi elections under the Election Unit. Journalists in Delhi informed us that on Saturday, they learned that some people were attempting to corrupt the electoral process by distributing alcohol and other materials. When these journalists began reporting on this illegal activity, political party workers misbehaved with them. In response, the journalists contacted the Delhi Police for help, hoping they would be provided security. However, instead of assistance, the journalists were mistreated by the Delhi Police,” the committee reportedly told the CEC.
The committee’s chairman Ashwani Chawla said all the journalists were carrying identity cards, according to The Indian Express.
The Delhi Police denied the claims. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Mahala, tweeted: “Few people tried to enter inside the B R Camp after midnight and locals of the camp confronted them regarding their identity and reason. We brought them (to the) police station for further verification since they were from outside Delhi and trying to enter after midnight. After following due legal procedure and primary verification, they were freed. Further enquiry and verification into this matter are still on.”
Several of these journalists were from The Unmute, a Punjabi YouTube news channel with over 2.4 lakh subscribers. The channel later published a video with some of these journalists recalling their experience.
Our three reporters, en route to cover elections, were attacked by goons in Delhi. Yet, instead of acting against them, @DelhiPolice detained our reporters overnight. Such incidents undermine journalistic ethos. Strict action is needed. @PMOIndia @PressCouncil_IN
— The Unmute (@the_unmute) February 2, 2025
The Unmute tweeted: “Our three reporters, en route to cover elections, were attacked by goons in Delhi. Yet, instead of acting against them, @DelhiPolice detained our reporters overnight. Such incidents undermine journalistic ethos. Strict action is needed.”
The Chandigarh Press Club too condemned the incident.
The BJP and AAP earlier engaged in a war of words over the searches at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Delhi.
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