Two days after the demolition drive at Kathputi Colony, news website The Quint has written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik demanding action against officers who allegedly misbehaved and wrongfully detained a journalist with the organisation.
Kshitij Kumar has alleged that he was assaulted and confined by the police for a few of hours while covering the demolition drive on Monday. The Quint said in a statement that Mr. Kumar’s “phone was confiscated” during his detention and “he was not allowed to inform anyone about his whereabouts” .
Responding to the allegations, Delhi Police chief spokesperson Deependra Pathak said the matter will be probed.
“Many portions of the allegations prima facie do not appear to be true but will be probe and verified,” he said.
Alleging that he told the police officers he was a journalist and was there only to cover the demolition, Mr. Kumar said the officers did not listen to him.
In response, Mr. Pathak said some people were trying to create a ruckus, and were rounded up and removed from the spot. “Unfortunately, the journalist was standing along with stone-throwers. He did not convey who he was at that point of time. He was brought to the police station and allowed to go after the officers checked his credentials. The officer concerned apologised to him,” he said.
However, The Quint has asked for an official apology on record to Mr. Kumar from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs “and an acknowledgement of the illegality of the Delhi Police’s behaviour towards him, as well as punishment of the police officers and constables responsible”.