Brief
Free Speech Collective files contempt petition against Delhi police and home ministry
The petition, filed on Oct 12, cites incidents of journalists being dragged, detained and denied access during protests against election chief Gyanesh Kumar.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Free Speech Collective approached the Supreme Court of India on Monday, Oct 12, seeking contempt proceedings against the Delhi Police, the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi government for allegedly violating the Court’s Oct 10 order that professionals, including journalists, should not be hindered in discharging their duties.
What happened
The petition details that during a protest organized by the CJP and left‑wing groups on Sunday, Oct 11, journalists from outlets such as The News Minute, The Hindu, Indian Express (Hindi), Peek TV and PTI were reportedly dragged by the neck, shoved into police vans and buses, and denied entry to reporting sites despite showing press IDs. Specific incidents cited include a PTI photojournalist being pulled into a police van and other reporters being forcibly removed from locations like R. K. Ashram Marg and Connaught Place.
What the reports add
The filing notes that the Supreme Court had earlier, on Oct 9, directed that essential public transport not be barred in an “overreaching” manner and that the Delhi Metro remain operational. It also references a separate contempt petition heard on Oct 10 concerning the metro closures. The petition argues that the Delhi Police and civilian administration ignored the Oct 9 order and the Oct 10 directive, leading to the alleged mistreatment of journalists.
What was said
The petition, represented by journalist Geeta Seshu, states: “Journalists reporting the protests were also reportedly treated with violence, removed and detained by the police notwithstanding the display of press identification.” It also quotes the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who on Oct 11 assured the Court that journalists would not be prevented from covering the protest.
How it came about
The contempt plea follows a series of court orders and protests in Delhi. On Oct 9, the Supreme Court limited restrictions on movement and communications. On Oct 10, a separate petition challenged the Delhi Metro’s partial shutdown, and the Court warned against overreaching bans. The current petition builds on those rulings, alleging that the Delhi Police, under the Union Home Ministry’s control, and the Delhi government failed to comply, prompting the Free Speech Collective to seek contempt action.
Key facts
- The Free Speech Collective filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court on Oct 12, naming Delhi Police, the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi government as respondents. (thenewsminute.com)
- The petition alleges journalists were dragged, detained and denied access while covering a protest on Oct 11, despite showing press identification. (thenewsminute.com)
- The Supreme Court had issued an Oct 9 order that professionals should not be hindered and that essential public transport not be barred in an overreaching manner. (thenewsminute.com)
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court on Oct 11 that journalists would not be prevented from covering the protest. (thenewsminute.com)
Sources
- [1] thenewsminute.com — originally reported as “Free Speech Collective moves SC with contempt plea against Delhi Police, Union Home Ministry”
