Journalist Bodies Condemn Alleged Assault of Two Women Journalists at Delhi’s Saket Police Station

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By TRH News Desk

The Press Club of India and four journalist organisations have urged Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and the Press Council of India to investigate the alleged assault of freelance journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan.

New Delhi, Sept. 3, 2026 — The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists have strongly condemned the alleged assault of two freelance journalists, Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, by Delhi Police personnel at Saket Police Station.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the journalist organisations called for punitive action against Delhi Police officials posted at Saket Police Station, including the Station House Officer (SHO), over what they described as the “brutal” assault of the two journalists.

According to the statement, Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan were reporting on the inauguration of a new wing at Max Hospital in Saket by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta when they were allegedly manhandled by a group of Delhi Police personnel.

The organisations alleged that the two journalists were subsequently dragged into a police vehicle and taken to Saket Police Station.

The statement further alleged that after the journalists reached the police station, the SHO instructed police personnel to take them to a room, where women police officers also allegedly joined in the assault.

The journalist bodies claimed that the two women were beaten and that police officials subsequently determined their religious identity before allegedly escalating the attacks and using religion-specific abuses against them.

They also alleged that the journalists were threatened with the registration of FIRs.

Referring to videos circulating on social media, the organisations said the two journalists appeared to have suffered multiple bruises and welts on their bodies.

The journalist organisations urged Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to order a “free and fair investigation” into the alleged assault and take action against all police personnel found involved.

They also called upon the Press Council of India to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and conduct an independent investigation.

The organisations said the alleged incident represented an attempt to suppress press freedom and stressed the need for accountability over the treatment of journalists while carrying out their professional duties.

The statement was issued by Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, President, and Afzal Imam, Secretary General, along with representatives of the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association and Kerala Union of Working Journalists.

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