The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has approached the Supreme Court seeking protection for journalists covering public protests, alleging that several reporters were detained, assaulted and prevented from performing their professional duties during demonstrations in Delhi on October 10 and 11 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The writ petition raises concerns over alleged police interference with news gathering, including the forcible removal of reporters from protest sites, obstruction of video recording and the alleged seizure of mobile phones, cameras and microphones. It also refers to complaints by women journalists alleging intrusive searches and physical misconduct.
The petition seeks safeguards for journalists irrespective of whether they are employed by established media organisations or work independently as freelancers and digital reporters.
A central issue raised in the petition is the alleged reliance on a Delhi Police advisory dated October 5, 2026, to restrict reporting by individuals who do not possess government accreditation or press identification issued by an employer.
The DUJ contends that accreditation is primarily intended to facilitate access to designated official events and cannot be treated as a prerequisite for reporting public events or gathering information in public places.
Arguing that freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution extends to independent journalists and digital media practitioners, the petition states that constitutional protection cannot depend solely on a person’s employment status or possession of a press card.
It further argues that citizens communicating news through online platforms, including YouTube, are also entitled to constitutional protection, subject to lawful and proportionate restrictions.
The petition relies on the signed statement of senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, who has alleged that he was detained on October 10 despite displaying his Press Information Bureau accreditation card.
According to his account, he was not informed of the grounds for his detention or provided with detention-related documents.
The DUJ has also cited a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists recording at least 35 detentions of journalists in Delhi during the two days of protests.
The petition alleges that the police action affected not only individual journalists but also the public’s ability to obtain information about demonstrations and the authorities’ handling of them.
It invokes Articles 14, 19, 21 and 22 of the Constitution, raising concerns relating to equality, freedom of expression, personal liberty and safeguards against arbitrary detention.
The DUJ has referred to the Supreme Court’s October 11 order directing that journalists and other professionals should not be obstructed from performing their duties.
The petition also refers to a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission concerning allegations of sexual harassment of three women journalists during a protest on October 3.
According to the DUJ, the incidents underline the need for specific safeguards governing police conduct towards reporters covering demonstrations, including measures to protect women journalists from intimidation, arbitrary detention and physical interference.
The DUJ has sought an independent and time-bound inquiry into the alleged incidents, along with directions for preserving relevant evidence, including recordings and other material that may assist in establishing what occurred.
It has also sought the return of equipment allegedly retained unlawfully and appropriate action and compensation wherever violations are established.
The petition further seeks practical safeguards to ensure that journalists can cover public assemblies and police operations without unlawful interference, regardless of their accreditation or employment status.
The allegations in the petition are yet to be adjudicated by the Supreme Court.
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