NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the police not to take any coercive action against a woman journalist whose complaint alleging molestation is pending consideration before the court.The apex court also directed all law enforcement agencies to preserve and submit CCTV footage of protest-related incidents after various counsels sought the material.The direction came as the court heard pleas concerning the October 10 protests in Delhi, including allegations of harassment and manhandling of women journalists.The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, said the allegations of harassment of women journalists were serious and sought the personal presence of a senior Delhi Police officer to explain the matter. The court had earlier said it was aware of the allegations and had asked police officers present in court to inquire into them.Senior advocate Indira Jaisingh, appearing in a plea alleging sexual harassment of women journalists during the protests, said she was willing to submit the names of the women concerned to the court in a sealed cover. She said the matter required sensitivity and needed to be dealt with appropriately.Jaisingh said she was representing a woman who had been “very badly” treated by a police officer. She alleged that the person accused of the assault had subsequently approached the Delhi High Court and filed a counter-atrocities complaint, with those proceedings now being heard there.She said she would submit two reports to the Supreme Court in sealed covers, one containing the names of the alleged victims of harassment and the other listing persons recommended to head a committee to investigate the allegations.The bench suggested that the committee should comprise predominantly former women judges and former IPS officers. Jaisingh sought a blanket direction in the matter, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the issue should be considered after the police submitted its report. Jaisingh countered that people had the right to work as independent journalists.Mehta said the definition of a journalist had become broad, with some people working as freelancers and others as “reel makers”. “We don’t know who’s who, but no lady should be subjected to Harrasment”, he submitted, adding that the protection should extend to female police personnel as well.The hearing also concerns petitions seeking contempt action against authorities for disobeying the Supreme Court’s October 11 order, which had effectively lifted a “complete ban” affecting Delhi Metro and railway services and other civic services during the protests. The court had granted the Centre an extension until Thursday to respond to these pleas, as well as a batch of petitions challenging alleged police detentions.The petitions also raise allegations of attacks and assaults on children and peaceful protesters by certain goons, who were allegedly garlanded by supporters after being granted bail just a day after their arrest.Mehta said the apologies tendered by the authorities before the court were in keeping with the procedure followed in contempt proceedings. He also objected to media reports carrying headlines stating that the authorities had apologised for violating court orders.The court responded, “We are not taking cognisance of unconditional and unqualified apologies. Because of your submission, it will become qualified,”.
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The proceedings are part of the court’s consideration of four sets of matters linked directly or indirectly to the October 10 protests.An FIR has been registered against Delhi Police ACP Vivek Bhagat following a complaint by a woman journalist accusing him of sexual harassment in connection with the October 3 incident. The allegations and claims in the FIR remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.The FIR invokes Sections 221, 356(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3(1)(p), 3(1)(q), 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a plea seeking interim protection from arrest on Friday.