NSUI Leader Ritu Barala Alleges Police Assault, Recounts Ordeal Before Rahul Gandhi

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By TRH Political Desk

Standing alongside Rahul Gandhi, the student leader alleged that she was beaten by police personnel during detention after a protest in Connaught Place, sustaining injuries to her face, neck and ear.

New Delhi, October 14, 2026 — National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) leader Ritu Barala has alleged that she was assaulted by police personnel during detention following a protest in Delhi, recounting her experience in a video while standing alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Barala alleged that a woman constable, identified by her as Chanchal Yadav, physically assaulted her while she and other NSUI activists were being transported in a police bus. She claimed that the alleged assault continued at a police station, where several women in civilian clothes joined in beating her.

According to Barala, NSUI activists had been protesting peacefully in Connaught Place when police detained them and transported them in three buses, each carrying around 30–40 people.

She said she and another woman activist were among those in her bus, along with other NSUI members. The activists allegedly tried to get off the bus and sit underneath it to continue their protest.

Barala alleged that the woman constable grabbed her by the neck, pushed her back into a seat and scratched her face with her fingernails. She further claimed that the constable slapped her, pulled her hair and repeatedly pushed her around inside the bus.

Barala alleged that the confrontation escalated when the bus stopped near Connaught Place police station. She said another NSUI activist, identified as Atira, tried to protect her but was also assaulted.

According to Barala, Atira was dragged and kicked in her private parts, while she herself was subjected to further physical assault.

She alleged that she was taken to Room 107 at the police station, where the same constable and five to seven women in civilian clothes assaulted her. Barala claimed she was punched and beaten with sticks before being dragged down a staircase.

She also alleged that police personnel struck her legs repeatedly with batons, leaving bruises. She said her ear was injured during the alleged assault and that doctors removed an earring at a hospital later that evening.

The allegations could not be independently verified. Despite the alleged assault, Barala said she remained determined to continue the political struggle.

She said she had been involved in the movement for nearly a decade and would not be intimidated by violence. Referring to the struggle as a “Kurukshetra war”, she asserted that the activists would continue their fight.

Barala also credited Atira with showing courage during the confrontation, saying her fellow activist had given her strength.

The allegations raise questions about the treatment of women student activists during police detention. An independent investigation and the police’s response would be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.