NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi Police’s handling of protests held in the national capital on October 10 against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.The plea alleges disproportionate use of force, illegal detentions and house arrests of protesters, including student leaders, advocates, politicians and civilians.It also raises allegations of sexual harassment of women protesters and claims that the police failed to act against individuals who allegedly assaulted demonstrators, according to Live Law report.Plea alleges mass detentions, disruption of public servicesJha has claimed that more than 6,000 people, including former chief ministers, MPs, senior advocates, lawyers, students and civilians unconnected with the protests, were detained by the authorities.The petition states that 250 trains were reportedly cancelled ahead of the demonstrations and 45 Metro stations in Delhi were closed on October 10. It further alleges that police personnel visited bus stations, hotels and OYO rooms to check for the presence of protesters.The plea also challenges restrictions on internet connectivity, alleging that mobile internet services were blocked within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path area. Portable mobile phone jammers were reportedly installed as well, despite the absence of any statutory authority empowering Delhi Police to jam telecommunications, the petition claims.Jha has sought a declaration that the police action between October 9 and 10, including detentions, internet suspension, restrictions on Metro and train services, and the alleged disproportionate use of force, was illegal.
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Petition raises allegations of harassment of women protestersThe plea further cites reports of uniformed personnel removing their name tags, unidentified men in plain clothes and self-proclaimed vigilantes allegedly being present during the protests.It also alleges sexual molestation and groping of women protesters, claiming that such incidents violated the principles laid down in Anita Thakur v. Government of Jammu and Kashmir.“Several videos have surfaced on social media showing Bajrang Dal goons attacking protestors while the Police men are acting as by standers,” the petition states.